Kent grower Alan Firmin Ltd, whose fruit is marketed by Norman Collett Ltd, won the first place prize for the quality of its stored Cox apples at the East Malling Research Association’s (EMRA) Top Fruit Storage Members’ Day, in association with the Marden Fruit Show Society (MFSS).
MFSS president Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart presented the Marks and Spencer trophy on behalf of A&P Hill to Alan Firmin Ltd’s store operator Paul Hollman, at the East Malling conference centre on Monday. Hollman is responsible for the firm's 1,500 tonne capacity store at Linton, near Maidstone.
The winning Cox apples were picked on September 8, last year, and are available until early spring. The competition looks at how stored apples and pears have performed after six months, evaluating both external and internal quality, as well as taste and firmness of fruit.
Blackmoor Estate came in second place and Highland Court Farm came in third, both winning cash prizes, sponsored by Farm Refrigeration.
Alan Firmin Ltd also won fourth prize for its stored Braeburn in the any other variety dessert apple category, while FW Mansfield & Son came first for its stored Gala in the same category and first again in the Bramley category. Adrian Scripps Ltd won first prize for stored pears and collected prize money, sponsored by ICA Ltd. And W Gunyon & Sons and Alan Hudson Ltd came second and third respectively, in the same category.
Norman Collett's technical director Nigel Jenner said of Alan Firmin Ltd’s prize: “2007 was one of the most difficult growing seasons; there were extremes of temperature at the wrong time from blossom to harvesting, as well as hurricane force winds. For one of our growers to come through this experience, and still record very high marks from the judges, is excellent testimony to their skill.”
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