Open Country - Orchards in Herefordshire
Download Orchards in Herefordshire
Felicity Evans visits the autumnal orchards of Herefordshire and discovers how centuries of cider production have shaped this landscape. For at least 350 years there has been cider production in this area and there are over 800 orchards across the Wye Valley, which make a significant contribution to the beautiful countryside.
Norman Stanier's family have lived in this area for generations and are deeply rooted ('scuse the pun') in the apple industry here. He shares his passion for this landscape and explains how centuries ago these local enterprises caught the eye of Gladstone's government as they sought to do away with the 'Yankee Apples' and how today, this area has become 'The Big Apple' of the UK.
Featuring visits to a variety of cider and perry producers - from small scale amateur production to award winning artisan ciders and global scale distribution from Europes largest cider factory.
Produced by Nicola Humphries.
Published on Thursday, 6th November 2014.
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