A HEREFORDSHIRE father and son team have been named apple growers of the year by Thatchers Cider.
Philip and son Roberts Griffiths' family run business was praised for its attention to detail, which has meant the duo have grown consistently great quality fruit to be used in Thatchers best-selling ciders.
Philip Griffiths has been growing apples on his Herefordshire farm for Thatchers since 2016, and now has 150 acres that he planted just for the Somerset cider maker.
ALSO READ:
- Herefordshire nurse struck off after failing to do life-saving CPR
- Herefordshire factory worker banned after Aylestone Hill crash
- One of Herefordshire's cheapest petrol stations wants to give pumps funny names
Favourite apples Gilly, Jane, Helen, 3 Counties, and Dabinett were chosen, varieties that are regularly selected by Thatchers for its range of award-winning ciders.
With his son Robert joining the family business having studied agriculture at university, there’s definitely a passion for growing the very best.
Philip said: “From one family business to another, we love growing apples for Thatchers. Their ethos for quality is exactly in line with how we work. We supply what our customers want, and Thatchers want the best. Their success is our success. So we invest in our farm to make success happen.
“Knowing you’re working with people who have the same values as you, breeds a successful working relationship. By talking directly to the Thatcher family, this makes a big difference.”
Richard Johnson, head cider maker at Thatchers, producers of ciders such as Thatchers Gold and Thatchers Haze, said: “It’s no mean feat to be delivering top quality apples throughout the length of the harvest season. Phil and Rob know exactly how to ensure a consistent quality of fruit, and harvest to perfection. The best quality cider always starts in the orchards.
“We look forward to working with Phil and Rob for many more years to come.”
The Grower of the Year award was presented to Philip and Robert at Thatchers annual wassail by fourth generation cider maker Martin Thatcher and head cider maker Richard Johnson.
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news for your local area? It's easy, just sign up for our free weekly email newsletter here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here