The Three Counties Cider & Perry Association Jean Nowell Bursary initiative

The Three Counties Cider & Perry Association Jean Nowell Bursary initiative

Feb 23, 2026

In 2020 the TCCPA launched their Jean Nowell Bursary, in honour of the legacy of the late Jean Nowell and the committee are delighted to be offering the bursary again in 2026.

The purpose of the Jean Nowell Bursary is to provide opportunities for people to be able to access a small amount of funding to support their progress, education and development. The individual bursaries are each worth up to £250 and up to 4 bursaries are available each year.

A pioneering craft cider maker and artist, Jean Nowell (1930 – 2017), generously taught others and influenced a generation. Jean’s cider making adventures began when she retired to Lyne Down Farm, Herefordshire, in 1984, and restored old equipment found there. Jean used traditional apple and pear varieties discovered in her orchards, saying ‘1500 gallons is worth making an effort to improve the quality and preserve the tradition of farmhouse cider…if small makers’ cider is decent it …keeps the big firms interested in promoting quality ciders.’

Jean set up the Putley Big Apple cider trials for makers and was a key member of the now Three Counties Cider and Perry Association. Her son Max said, ‘she never stopped working for the good of the craft cider world as a whole’. Many respected makers today were mentored by her and it is in this spirit of support that the TCCPA have set up a bursary in her honour.

“The Three Counties Cider & Perry Association is first and foremost, an association of cidermakers who come together to support and encourage each other and share knowledge and ambition that strengthens us as individuals and a collective. The Jean Nowell Bursary is a valued and significant part of our operations that supports the growth of independent craft cidermaking” said Albert Johnson, Chair of the Association 2024-2025. ““We have all faced times when we knew that an extra sum of money would help us attend that course, buy that bit of kit or get some advice. Jean Nowell’s bursary continues what Jean did in life. Help her fellow cider and perry makers. Thank you Jean.” said TCCPA committee member Tom Oliver.

2026 Bursary Entry Deadlines Announced

The deadline date for Jean Nowell Bursary applications have been announced as the 1st March 2026 and successful applicants will be announced at this year’s CraftCon held from the 12th to the 13th March at the Somerset Country Cricket Club, Taunton.

Applications are not limited by age or experience, although preference will be given to novice commercial cider makers and projects where the bursary is being used to fund the applicant’s personal or business development. This could be through education, a study visit, to help fund a harvest placement, to just name a few examples.

Applicants can apply for more than one bursary if their project requires it, and may receive all, some or none of the funding based off the merit of their application. The applications are judged by a subcommittee of the elected committee of the association.

‘[In the 2020 entries] It was encouraging to see ideas which would really help people move on in their professional knowledge and understanding,” says Elizabeth Pimblett, awards judge and director of the Museum of Cider. “We’d like to encourage future applicants to start thinking now how this seed funding could help them to develop in diverse ways.”

Previous recipients of the Jean Nowell Bursary include Phil Kester of 99PINES, Stoneleigh Community Orchard Group CIC, Hiranthi Cook of Cidentro Cider House, Three Wells Cider Company, Ben Fleet of Slow Cultures, Emma Jordan of Blue Barrel Cider, James Finch of Chapel Sider aka The Cider Critic, and Rob Muir of The Temperance Cider Project.

The value and achievement of the bursary in supporting craft cidermaking and orcharding is evident. A 2025 Jean Nowell Bursary recipient, Phil Kester of 99PINES Perry in Gloucestershire says: “The bursary has made a huge difference to 99PINES and our work at the National Perry Centre at Hartpury. It has enabled us both to significantly improve our event sales and bulk storage capacity. With the bursary amount we purchased a new shelf cooler system, which can be both used at the Orchard Centre bar, as well as external events. We were chuffed to be able to use it at the Malvern Autumn show last year!”

“We also purchased some 500L storage systems that enabled us to easily and safely store and draw-off bulk products (rather than juggle multiple containers!). Last harvest we had some amazing volunteer help from local companies after our registration as a Community Interest Company, resulting in over 3000 litres and 34 single perry varieties. The equipment purchased through the bursary will help us store and present perry as best we can, and we are extremely grateful!”

“The bursary helped me make the jump from helping out and working at various cider makers to making my own cider. Knowing someone backed my idea gave me that boost to help me start up this year. The money was really important too and helped me in my equipment purchases.” said 2025 Jean Nowell bursary recipient Ben Fleet.

“The Jean Nowell Bursary was most gratefully received and is enabling me to expand my skills into distilling cider. Since receiving the bursary I’ve done much reading up on distillation techniques and have spent the money on enrolling in the Level 1 Spirits Award Qualification course at the WSET school which is taking place in London this March. I’m really looking forward to this new learning opportunity and have done all the pre reading they have sent through for it. The course covers the basic principles of spirit production, teaches the main types and styles of spirit and factors affecting the flavour of spirits. After the course I’ll be experimenting with my own cider distillation using my pot still and can provide another update on how I’ve put my new skills to use then.” said 2025 Jean Nowell bursary recipient Hiranthi Cook.

Applications are welcome from across the UK. Please view the relevant page on the website here for application forms and guidelines.

Read more about Jean Nowell, including her son, Max’s inspiring tribute on the TCCPA website.

CraftCon 2025

CraftCon 2025

Feb 17, 2025

Welcome to the Fifth TCCPA Trade Conference

Thursday 27th & Friday 28th March

Two days of interactive workshops and seminars aimed at aspiring and existing cidermakers in the UK and beyond with over 20 speakers and panelists presenting on a range of topics covering orcharding, cidermaking and business.

Organised by the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association and hosted at the Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford.  Sponsored by The National Association of Cider Makers, Murphy & Son Wine and The London Cider House.

For more information and to book visit https://craftcon.co.uk/

Momentum grows as fresh blood takes the helm of Britain’s leading craft cider association

Momentum grows as fresh blood takes the helm of Britain’s leading craft cider association

Mar 7, 2024

Albert Johnson of Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company and Lydia Crimp of Artistraw Cider [Photo: Rebecca Fletcher]

Craft cider and perry producers around the country stand to gain as Albert Johnson of Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company, and Lydia Crimp of Artistraw Cider, are elected to the top two roles at the Three Counties Cider & Perry Association (TCCPA).

“It is a privilege to chair the largest membership association of small cidermakers in the UK,” said fourth generation cidermaker Albert. “My father, Mike, was a founding member of the TCCPA, so to continue the legacy is very special.”

Lydia, co-founder of Artistraw Cider and co-chair of the pan-industry group, Cider Women, joins Albert as his deputy. “I am excited to be given the opportunity to add to the TCCPA’s already rich history,” said Lydia. “It’s an honour to be working with such dedicated and talented people.”

Representing over 100 cider producers located far beyond the association’s original boundaries of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, the vibrancy and energy of the revitalised sector is symbolised by members’ desire not just to reach out to consumers but also to learn and move forward.

First up will be CraftCon 2024, at the beginning of April. “This will be the fifth anniversary of this landmark event, organised and hosted by the association,” said Albert. “I hope to build on what we have achieved in the last five years to continue to achieve our aims of supporting and promoting the interests of cider and perry producers in our Three Counties region, but also all across the UK.”

“With five weeks to go, I’d urge all fellow cider professionals to join us for what will be an incredible couple of days with many of the world’s leading lights sharing their wisdom,” said Albert.

“As always, the CraftCon programme will cover topics within three main strands of orcharding, cidermaking and business and marketing. This year, with more speakers and more subjects being covered than ever before, there really is something for everyone! In amongst all of the learning CraftCon also offers excellent networking opportunities throughout the conference, culminating in the now famous Friday evening bottle share,” said Lydia.

CraftCon 2024 takes place on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April 2024 at the Royal Agricultural University, Circencester. Over two days there will be over 20 speakers and panellists presenting interactive workshops and seminars aimed at aspiring and existing cidermakers in the UK and beyond. There will be two keynote speakers: Adam Wells, co-founder of Cider-Review.com and author of forthcoming book, Perry: A Drinkers’ Guide, and James Crowden renowned and award-winning author and poet.

“My predecessor, Dave Sanders brought the membership back together after the disruption of COVID to ensure the successful re-establishment of CraftCon,” said Albert, “The quality this year will be a fitting legacy to all his hard work.”

“We look forward to seeing you there,” said Lydia. “The future of cider looks very bright indeed!”

CraftCon is being generously supported by lead sponsor, The National Association of Cidermakers, as well as The London Cider House and Pershore Press, with other sponsors to be confirmed.

Notes:

  • The TCCPA was founded in 1993 by a group of craft scale cider makers who came together at the cider and perry trials run by the The Big Apple in the parish of Putley in Herefordshire. From these early beginnings, membership has now grown significantly. With over 100 members, the TCCPA seeks to represent and support small craft cider and perry producers and enthusiasts via several means, including that of education and training.
  • Membership of the TCCPA extends beyond the borders of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and is open to cidermakers, large and small, aspiring or commercial, hobbyists or advocates, and others with an interest in the cider world. Contact membership secretary, Tom Tibbits, for further details. tom.tibbits@gmail.com
  • On Tuesday 30th  January 2024, TCCPA held its Annual General Meeting at The Cider Museum in Hereford. At the AGM, Albert, Lydia and the new committee was elected.
  • Further information about CraftCon 2024 is available on the TCCPA’s dedicated CraftCon website and on Instagram and Facebook.
Traditional cider apple harvesting using a hooklug [Photo: Rebecca Fletcher]

Traditional cider apple harvesting using a hooklug [Photo: Rebecca Fletcher]