English growers have been praised for the wide range of high-quality entries at this year’s National Fruit Show competition.
Show chair Sarah Calcutt acknowledged the “great spread of achievement throughout the grower base” in announcing the 2013 award winners.
Among those collecting trophies at this week’s event were Bardsley Farms, which collected the Fruiterers Company Medal for the most meritorious exhibit of pears; RD Apple Growers, which took the Covent Garden Market Authority Prize for best all-round exhibit; and Hill Farm Orchards/Davina Roberts, who picked up the John Henshall Salver for best exhibit of any dessert apple grown in the UK outside Kent.
In a year described by Calcutt as “challenging” for juice suppliers, Arena Pursuits, Four Elms Fruit Farm and Maynard House Orchards all collected multiple awards.
Show president Michael Jack said he felt the quality standard achieved this year was very high. “Twelve months ago we were berating the season but this year the colour and quality is extremely good,” he added. “Those growers coming along today are in a better mood [than a year ago].”
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