The future of Scottish orchards

The future of Scottish orchards

Posted on 13. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.

UK apple orchards have been in decline since the 1980s, with Britain losing nearly two thirds of its commercial and private orchards in the last three decades.
With the market dominated by cheap imported fruit, a narrower choice of varieties have been available. Smaller orchards have been replaced by housing and business developments. But in Scotland, [...]

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Links of the month – January

Links of the month – January

Posted on 11. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.

Here is our regular monthly collection of cider links, from newspapers, food web sites that we find with interesting content, and  articles that appear in our RSS feed tagged “Cider”
These articles are hand picked issues and topics that are of interest to cider producers, publicans and cider fans.
Here are January’s collection:

Government accused on launching war on [...]

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Wassail events 2010

Wassail events 2010

Posted on 10. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.

Wassailing is an old custom that takes place on Old Twelfth Night (17 January) or thereabouts, to exhort apple trees to fruit well the following season.
Customs and songs differ from place to place. At many events cider is poured onto the roots and shots fired through the branches to ward off evil spirits. Warm cider [...]

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CAMRA takes Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to Tribunal

CAMRA takes Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to Tribunal

Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Jim C..

It’s looking like 2010 will become the year of campaigning to saving the pub. The pub is a trade that continues to adapt in response to changes in the social life of modern Britain. However, it seems running a business and creating a valuable social space in the community is being attacked from all angles, [...]

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A publicans wishlist for 2010

A publicans wishlist for 2010

Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Jim C..

As you may know, part of our committment at Real Cider is to support UK pubs. Because without them we would not be able to enjoy some of our finest tipples across the country, in our favourite cities, towns and villages.
It’s not just me who thinks this, a new poll shows 8 in 10 believe [...]

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The Cider year

The Cider year

Posted on 02. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.

The cidermaker’s year, like the school year starts in September when the harvest gets under way in earnest and the business of cider can begin.
Autumn
Picking apples in any quantity isn’t easy, especially in old-style orchards where climbing to the tops of the tree with a basket is required! The other alternative of waiting for the [...]

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