FRUITS & VEGETABLES
BELSEYS CHEDDAR STRAWBERRIES
Strawberry specialists based in the heart of the Cheddar Strawberry belt.
Besley’s Strawberries can be found in the traditional area around Cheddar in Somerset, where early varieties could be grown. The Strawberry belt lies at the foot of the fertile south western slopes of the Mendip Hills from Axbridge to Rodney Stoke where market gardens have long been a local feature.
Seven acres are devoted to Besley’s strawberries, some under poly-tunnels. Pests are kept under control using biological pest controls and free-range chickens – that eat the vine weevils, no chemical pesticides are used. Cliff Besley grows seven varieties that extend the season from early May to late September.
Cliff sells most of his crop at farmers’ markets "… they provided me with an outlet and a viable return. The markets allow you to talk to the customer to see exactly what they want, and it means that they get really fresh strawberries. If it wasn’t for the farmers’ markets, I would not be doing this now."
CONTACT:
Address: Cliff Belsey, St Merryfields, Draycott Road, Cheddar, BS27 3RU
Phone: 07875 468588
Email: cliffbesley63@gmail.com
PLOWRIGHT ORGANIC
Bridgwater. Remke joined me in 2003 and together we formed Plowright Organic Produce and began to increase our production and the number of boxes. In 2004 we received second place in the Organic box scheme of the year' awards and were runners up in the Somerset life best organic product and trader' award 2006.
We manage all the land at Stowey Rocks to organic standards and are certified organic by the Bristol based Soil Association certification Ltd. License number UK5 /AB17796.
Growing organic vegetables is hard work and requires attention to detail but we would not want to grow them any other way. Our box scheme enables us to produce affordable organic food on a small scale. We use minimal packaging and sell locally to reduce food miles. Ultimately we want to develop a sustainable organic system to provide good quality seasonal vegetables to local people and in so doing, help to re-make the connection between the land and people.
We run a weekly box-scheme that will be available for collection from the market by pre-order. Please contact us for details!
CONTACT:
Address: Plowright Organic Produce, Stowey Rocks Farm, Over Stowey, Bridgwater,
Somerset, TA5 1JB
Phone: 01278 734580
E-mail: info@plowrightorganic.co.uk
Website: plowrightorganic.co.uk