Industry Recognises Parliamentary Cider Champions

Industry Recognises Parliamentary Cider Champions

May 26, 2022

UK cider industry leaders gathered in Westminster on 24 May to recognise the MPs who champion cider companies, the people who work for them, the farmers growing cider apples and the rural communities that benefit from the Great British cider industry.

The event organised by the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM), was hosted by Sir Bill Wiggin MP, President of the All-Party Parliamentary Cider Group (APPCG).

MPs from cider growing areas including the West Midlands and South West were recognised for their long standing commitment to the industry. Cider Makers from across the regions presented MPs with a personalised gift box including a selection of British ciders and a commemorative cider glass.

Speaking at the event, James Crampton, Chair of the NACM commented that “the MPs who were recognised this evening go above and beyond to ensure that our small, rural industry is recognised for its great contribution to the UK and to British culture. It was great to finally gather people together after a gap of more than two years, to say thank you for their support and for making sure that cider making and cider apple growing remain a priority for the government. The continued support of these MPs is critical to sustain the livelihoods of the 11,500 people that rely on the industry”.

Sir Bill Wiggin MP, Member of Parliament for North Herefordshire, said, “it is always a delight to represent and promote Great British cider makers and the fantastic ciders that they produce.

“Cider making contributes to our rural counties including Herefordshire and as the UK are global market leaders we should be proud to support this fantastic British success story.”

Members of Parliament Recognised

Sir Bill Wiggin MP, North Herefordshire
Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, Bridgwater & West Somerset
Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Hereford & South Herefordshire
Harriett Baldwin MP, West Worcestershire
Rt Hon Mel Stride MP, Central Devon
Rebecca Pow MP, Taunton Deane
John Penrose MP, Weston-super-Mare

Cider Makers presenting Awards

James Crampton, Chair of the NACM and Corporate Affairs Director at Heineken UK
Helen Thomas, Managing Director at Westons Cider
Martin Thatcher, Managing Director at Thatchers Cider
Barny Butterfield, Owner at Sandford Orchards
Geoff Thompson and his daughter Eliza Thompson, Owner at Oldfields Cider
David and Louisa Sheppy, Managing Director at Sheppy’s Cider

Harriett Baldwin MP Shows Support for Cider Makers

Harriett Baldwin MP Shows Support for Cider Makers

May 17, 2021

Harriett met with Apple Grower Bruce & Sarah Starkey, Cider Maker Geoff Thompson from Oldfields Cider and Mark Hopper from the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM).

After being given a tour of the orchards and learning more about the cider industry, Harriett listened to concerns about cider makers’ tanks remaining largely blocked with the 2019 and 2020 harvests, which may need to be destroyed to make way for this year’s apple harvest. Worse still, was the fear that without support, decades old cider apple orchards may vanish from the countryside. The impacts of the numerous COVID lockdowns, pubs, bars shut and cancelled festivals over the last 12 months, has left some apple growers and cider makers in a perilous position.

“Cider makers are asking for much needed support to allow them to recover from the impact of COVID and for the government to keep their pledge to reduce red tape for business.” said Mark Hopper NACM “The Treasury review into how cider and other alcoholic beverages are taxed is an opportunity to provide much needed support for our industry, but cider makers are concerned about more complexity and added cost.”

Bruce Starkey said “Cider apple orchards add huge value to communities, they are great for sustainability, contributing to biodiversity and of course trees are beneficial in terms of carbon. However, they are also dependent on a strong cider market and if we can’t sell the apples then we can’t afford to grow the tree.”

Geoff Thompson said “the last 12 months have been extremely challenging but there have been some positives such as strengthening the relationships we have with our local community. We look forward to pubs, festivals and whole hospitality sector re-opening this summer.”

Speaking after the visit, Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire commented, ”Cider is a very important local product with apple trees all over the county producing some of the best ciders in the world. It was really helpful to meet with Bruce and Sarah at Commonwood Farm to hear of the challenges they are facing and the requests they would like me to pass back to the Government.”

“I’ve already raised taxation issues with the Chancellor and I also met with DEFRA last week to talk about specific support measures for the industry and I have passed that guidance on.”

“We are all hoping that the weather is now set fair as the apple trees blossom and we all hope for a bumper crop this autumn.”