Norfolk berries


Ribena Blackcurrant 850Ml

Summer is a time for Ribena with lemonade and lots of ice.
Ribena is made from blackcurrants and a good proportion of all the berries which are grown in the UK go towards making it, and some of those come from near where I live in Norfolk.
An interesting piece in the local Norfolk magazine recently on Gorgate Hall Farm, near Gressenhall, where Rosie Begg has been in charge for a while, growing hundreds of tonnes of blackcurrants each year.
It talks about the way that the local area (about 5 miles from where I live) has good soil and climate for growing berries, but the unpredicatability of the weather has caused some issues in recent years. Blackcurrants have been grown at Gorgate for 70 years apparently, with the farm having a contract to supply Ribena, and links to the Blackcurrant Foundation.
They are supported by the FWAG.
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
Rosie has been developing the farm and thinking about improvements in terms of irrigation, and improving the sustainability of the operation. This improves applying for the higher tier countryside stewardship scheme, which includes improving soil and water quality in the Upper Wensum area (the River Wensum eventually flows through Norwich)

What is grown in your local area?

Comments