Cider farm expects to break its production record

James Meller hopes to make more cider this year than ever before

A cider farm in Guernsey hopes to break its record for cider production after this year's local apple swap.

Every year Rocquette Cider Farm on Rue des Fauxquets, invites local apple growers to bring their fruit to be used in the production of cider.

This time, the farm has received more apples from local growers than ever before.

Farm manager James Meller said the "response from the public has far outweighed what we expected".

People at the farm are hard at work, processing a record number of apples

Volume of apples

Mr Meller said there have been "over 30 tonnes in just three Saturdays and that's what we'd normally get over eight Saturdays".

"We've built up a database of over 700 people who come every year and it's great to use that element of the public's apples because when they go to the bar they know their apples are in the cider."

The farm predicted a good harvest but didn't expect the volume of apples they received and have picked.

"We're going for a record - I'd like to say around 200,000 litres of juice, which is about 40 days' pressing for us, compared to the previous record of 170,000 litres."

'Long days'

Mr Meller and his team have been working long days to keep up with the production process.

A plentiful harvest of apples was anticipated in the spring after of a good blossom so the farm put provisions in place to keep up.

James said: "We ordered a couple of extra 20,000 litre tanks to make sure we had capacity because we currently don't."

The tanks are being transported from Germany.

Ashton Griva (left) and Ben Perry (right) have been busy

Ben Perry works at the farm and said: "Last Saturday I think we took 10 tonnes of apples, which is quite a lot.

"You've got to work a lot quicker before they all start going rotten.

"The more you get the more work you have to do - can't complain."

Ashton Griva has worked at the farm for two years, sorting out rotten apples, labelling and helping with harvesting.

"It's been a really nice work environment with everyone and I've really enjoyed myself here, especially over the summers because the place is honestly just lovely", he said.