July is the busiest month on our own fruit farm because it is usually when we pick most of our cherries. In the middle of the month the National Cherry Show is held at the showground in Detling, Kent and every year cherry growers find time in the middle of harvest to send in superb samples to compete in the many classes.

Large numbers of the public pass through the tent and the event attracts a lot of good publicity, and this year there was one TV crew filming and another researching a film on cherries.

This year was an exceptionally early season and there was a time when growers seriously wondered if those from early sites would have any cherries to send in for the show. Fortunately June and July were mild compared with the exceptional growing conditions of April and May and all was well.

It is a truly national show which continues to attract new entries from all over the country. Lower Hope Farm from Herefordshire won the Championship Bowl, while the Fruiterers’ medal was won by Tony Redsell, himself a past Master of the Fruiterers. Tony has played a major role in guiding the Cherry Show through to what is now its 81st year. He remains the chief steward.

It is a reflection of the Fruiterers’ close involvement in the fruit industry that the Cherry & Soft Fruit Show chairman and vice chairman are both Fruiterers, as were seven out of the nine judges.

The UK cherry industry is on a roll. Using our own farm as an example, years ago we had big old cherry trees which were grubbed out in the 1950s and then no more trees were planted till 1979 when we planted the wrong rootstock and the wrong varieties and struggled to achieve regular crops.

Different rootstocks and varieties have meant that we can now guarantee consistent yields; smaller trees mean growers can easily net against bird damage; new applications reduce the risk of the fruit splitting after heavy rain; and many growers are now using rain covers to completely eliminate that risk.

Wholesalers have always been supportive of English cherries and in recent years there has been a change of heart from the supermarkets. This has come about through consistency of supply and the public’s demand for UK produce.

On a personal note, I always enjoy showing people around our cherry orchards and it was a real pleasure to show members of the livery round in the middle of June at my Master’s Day.

July is also the month when Fruit Focus is held at East Malling. It is the leading technical event for the fruit industry and attracts some 1,200 growers and industry professionals with over 120 leading suppliers. Once again there was a strong presence of Fruiterers, including growers, wholesalers from Spitalfields, marketing groups and sponsors.

DRAPERS' HALL PLAYS HOST TO SUMMER COURT DINNER

The Summer Court Dinner is always held in July when most people are thinking of holidays and are generally relaxed.

It is one of the formal events to which spouses and partners are encouraged to attend and that fact also engenders a more casual atmosphere.

Held at the Drapers’ Hall on 14 July - Bastille Day - attendance was high to hear the Master Sandys Dawes and principal guest of honour, the RH Michael Jack, speak on issues of interest and importance to the Fruiterers.

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