THE CO-FOUNDER of a Herefordshire cider company has been rewarded for her commitment to the industry, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Susanna Forbes, of the Little Pomona Cider, near Bromyard, received the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Pomona Award for her commitment.

Named after the Roman goddess of apples, the Pomona Award is presented to a person or organisation that has made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.

Mrs Forbes has a multitude of cider achievements under her belt. In 2018 she published the book Cider Insider, and she has also served as drinks editor of Imbibe magazine and as a member of the Guild of British Beer Writers.

She and her husband James Forbes established Little Pomona in 2015, crafting a variety of cider and perries from their orchard in Avenbury, and partner orchardists around the region.

They moved to their current site in 2019 and opened a tasting room and cider garden in 2020.

A staunch supporter of Ciderlands, the international cider tourism and culture network founded by the Basque Country, she worked with the ‘Ciderologist’ Gabe Cook to host its first meeting in Hereford and the Three Counties in 2019.

She also co-led on the formation of the group Cider Women in 2019, helping to promote the profile and involvement of women within the cider industry and hospitality, and beyond.

During the pandemic when the industry was hard hit by lockdowns and restrictions, Mrs Forbes moved Full Juice magazine, a publication entirely

focused on cider, onto an online platform and was among those who worked with the ‘Ciderologist’ Gabe Cook to launch the Discover Cider campaign in October 2020, which is dedicated to encouraging consumers to try cider.

Hereford Times: Susanna Forbes, of Little Pomona Cider in Avenbury, near Bromyard. Picture: CAMRA Susanna Forbes, of Little Pomona Cider in Avenbury, near Bromyard. Picture: CAMRA

She said: “It’s such an honour to be given this award by Camra – thank you! The majority of my cider heroes are past winners of the Pomona Award, which makes it even more special. Camra lit the touchpaper over a decade ago when BEER commissioned me to write a piece on beer and cider tourism.

“The journey has never stopped. Locally, regionally and internationally, apples and pears around the world in the right hands can make extraordinary drinks. We producers have to be ambitious and to share the stories.”

“This award goes to everyone who helps take cider further, especially the Cider Women group, my Full Juice collaborators, the Ciderlands masif, and my husband James, for being my rock and aiming high with Little Pomona. Come see us to taste the difference.

“Finally, to Camra – for its steadfast support of the sector and its desire to empower all to enjoy the golden nectar.”

She was presented with her award on Saturday (October 16) and Mayor of Hereford Paul Stevens planted a pair of perry pear trees at the farm-based business in Avenbury.

Also in attendance was Bromyard mayor Suzette Brunsdon, consort and son Jacques, Museum of Cider director Elizabeth Pimblett and and Hereford City Councillor Kath Hey.