Current proposals of minimum pricing per unit of alcohol will mean that cider prices will double for a container of farmhouse cider, making it too expensive for local people to enjoy.

Resulting in long term and well respected cider makers going out of business, and their farmland being sold off or used for other crops. Orchards being grubbed up resulting in loss of our heritage of apples and wildlife overnight.

We cannot let this happen! – PLEASE – Sign this epetition. Petitions need 100,000 signatures to even raise a debate in Parliament so every signature really does count.

The cider makers are not asking for the plans by government to be scrapped, just an exemption for cider producers selling directly from their farms to the public.

This video highlights the views of Somerset’s most well known cider producers – Julian Temperley, Frank Naish and Roger Wilkins.

Related links:

• Alice Temperley backing Facebook Save our Scrumpy campaign
• Save Our Scrumpy on Facebook
• Bill Bradshaw’s views on IAMCIDER

Spring was a few weeks earlier last year for blossom, with bumper crops of apples being ready for picking in August.

We shall see what yields we get with sporadic rain and hosepipe bans. More Wassailing needed to appease the apple gods!

The Westbury Festival is now in its second year.

If you are looking for a new, fun and memorable music and cider weekend this summer then look no further than the Westbury Festival in Gloucestershire.

After the great success of last year and to keep things fresh they have decided to extend the Festival to 2 days over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 25-27th August.

Set in a lovely rural setting the organisers provide a fantastic mix of great music, great cider (or beer etc), great company and catering for all ages.

They have handpicked a fantastic selection of local and award winning regional ’3 counties’ ciders, as well as festival favourites from the West Country. Notably Hartlands and Severn Cider.

>> View the full cider list here (PDF).

Get involved!

You can get involved by leaving your comments below to suggest to the organisers what other ciders and perries you would like to see at the bar. They want to make sure all levels of cider tastes are catered for.

Make sure you get into training for the Tug of War, as their is a keg of Cider to the winners. Also for the retro fans EMF are doing a set on the Saturday night. Sweet!

With the ever increasing demand on people wanting to know where their food comes from, a chance to even meet the producer, as well as reduce food miles and carbon emissions.

Village food markets are an obvious move to meet demand by discerning consumers.

If you live in East Sussex, experience a new weekly event at the village of Upper Dicker. The grand opening is on the 14th March.

There will be no cider for sale at the market, but then Middle Farm is only down the road. Make a morning of it. See you there!

Click on the poster images below to visit the market website.

Cider is the undisputed success story within the alcohol category over the past six years. It has grown its volume sales by just under a quarter (24%) between 2006 and 2011 and over this period its value sales increased from £1.7bn to £2.4bn.

Figures from the consumer analysts Mintel show that cider has bucked the economic climate that has resulted in flat sales for many alcoholic drinks. Bear with us there a lot of encouraging stats here.

Ten years ago, 42 per cent of Britons said they were cider drinkers. This has now grown to 47 per cent. The Mintel survey showed 46 per cent of adults said they were lager drinkers.

Beer has seen the most dramatic sales decline, losing £2.2bn in revenue between 2006 and 2011 mainly due to the decline of the UK pub sector.

With pubs seeing record closures since 2008, cider has performed well above the market by recording a 25% growth in revenue from pub sales.

Cider’s share of supermarket shelf space has grown exponentially and in 2010 accounted for 40.7 per cent of UK cider volume sales.

A poll of more than 680 people by Mintel found that 58 per cent claim cider is more refreshing than lager.

Nearly half (49 per cent) said cider has a fresher taste while 44 per cent prefer its sweeter taste, 27 per cent drink it for a change and one in five (21 per cent) claim it’s less gassy.

Reason for drinking cider

• 58% claim that it is more refreshing
• 49% say it has a fresher taste
• 44% prefer its sweeter taste
• 27% drink it for a change
• 21% claim it’s less gassy than
• 17% say that they like that it tastes less alcoholic than lager

Further links:

• AOL – More Brits now drink cider than lager
• Scotsman - Cider pips lager in popularity stakes among young drinkers

In the take home sector growth is still strong. Consumers are being offered a broader range of products with the major supermarkets reporting in October that they have extended their ranges of products and the space they dedicate to cider.

Whilst sales in pubs and bars are relatively stable this represents a better performance by cider than other drinks which recorded a decline. The pub sector continues to face challenging times though the cider industry remains determined to support this important part of the economy that is also vital to the social fabric of the UK.

Industry spokesman, Gabe Cook said:

“All credit to cider makers, big and small, for continuing to deliver great drinks that a growing number of consumers want to enjoy.

“It is the quality and provenance of ciders now available that is driving interest and sales.

“There has never been a broader range of consistently excellent ciders and perrys available. As retailers continue to recognise the opportunity and also the innovation and investment by cider makers, we expect people will find even more great drinks from different producers to enjoy.”

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This article originally published by NACM – ref- http://cideruk.com/cider_news/view/cider_still_rosy/

• International Cider Challenge – judging – 9 March, by drinksint.com
• National Association of Cider Makers Seminar – Hereford Cider Museum – 26 April, by NACM
• Cider apple trees in blossom – (starts) end of April – various locations
• International Cider Challenge – results announced – May
• The Royal Bath & West Show – 30 May – 2 June
• Three Counties Show – 15 – 17 June 2012
• Cider Apple Harvest – (starts) early September
• National Apple Day October – Sunday 21 October

Here are some very special events that we recommend in Somerset.

Know of other events? Leave the details of the event in the comments below.

Walters Farm, Tintinhull Wassail – 7 January 2012 at 7pm

Wassail ceremony for the orchard’s old apple trees followed by music, giant hot dogs, danish pastry and cider punch. Parking at the village hall. Tickets £5 adults, children free. Please contact Anette Lorch to book before 2 Jan 2012. 01935 824868

Mid Somerset Show Wassail Evening – 12 January 2012 at 7pm

At the village green orchard at North Wootton. There will be music, noise, singing, toasting the apple trees, shooting the evil spirits plus bonfire, cider, soft drink bar and pig roast. There is no charge or booking needed for the outdoor part of the evening. Afterwards there will be entertainment in the Village Hall for members of the Society at £5 per head. This will include a ploughmans supper, apple muffins and entertainment. Members should book tickets with Bill Bartlett 01749 343091

Rich’s Cider Farm Charity Wassail – 14 January 2012 at 7.30pm

At Mill Farm, Watchfield, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4RD. Come and join the Scrumpy & Western band the Mangledwurzels to serenade the orchards of Rich’s Cider Farm with hot mulled cider and a pig roast. Run in association with the Burnham-on-Sea Rotary Club. All profits go to charity. Tickets £9.50 available from Rich’s Cider Shop. 01278 783651 jan@richscider.co.uk

Somerset Rural Life Museum Wassail – 14 January 2012 at 7.30pm

At Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DB. There will be music from Rapscallion, barn dance, family activities and seasonal refreshments. Tickets £8 for adults, £5 for children. Pre-booking is necessary. 01458 831197 heritagelearning@somerset.gov.uk

Kilmersdon Wassail – 21 January 2012 at 12.00 noon

At Kilmersdon Village Hall, Radstock, Bath BA3 5TD. Ploughman’s lunches will be available and the 2012 Wassail Queen will be crowned at approximately 1.15pm. The Village Band will be in attendance and the Cam Valley Morrismen. This will be followed by a procession to the Community Orchard where the ceremony will take place and then on to the Old School House for tea and apple cake. The event is FREE apart form buying a ploughman’s lunch if you want to..

For further information contact Martin Horler 01761 437372

Featuring Mike Johnson at Ross on Wye cider, and Dave Mathews from the Welsh cider society.

I think the bikers are converted! They learn about cider traditions, cider making and blending , and have at pressing local apples at Ross on Wye during the annual cider festival.

View on iPlayer (the cider fun starts – 14 minutes in).

The legends of the West Country, The Wurzel’s have been tracked down by the Real Cider web site, so we can ask them about their love of cider.

1. How did your love of cider start?

In January 1968 at my first ever Wassail at the Butchers Arms at Carhampton near Minehead.

2. What’s your favourite place to drink cider?

In the garden on a lovely sunny day with family and friends, or on one of our excellent West Country beaches.

3. What’s your favourite cider, and why?

Any made by Ivor Hyde, who has kept my accordions in working order for years, and brews a mean drop with the apples pressed through a manual press over 100 years old.

Commercially, any made by Rich’s Cider of Mark, Somerset.

4. What makes cider so special, compared to other drinks?

Every brew is different.

5. What’s the perfect accompaniment to enjoy your cider, special mug, cheese, pickles?

Just that, exactly right, plus good company.

View their 2011 Christmas video: