|
Where has the
time gone? Since the last time of writing back in March a lot
of strawberries have passed over the conveyer, looking back
March was a tough month with the rain only easing to give way
to sleet, still we were able to crack on and start to build
the packhouse, panels were erected floors were painted toilets
and sinks plumbed in, not to mention the endless list of BRC
accreditation points to overcome.
Just as we were thinking the worst and ordering the wood to
build our Ark the sun came out and we never saw a drop of rain
all April, so we got the bed former out again and managed to
get the rest of the beds up about 17ha, our next field of
Elsanta was quickly planted and all the Everbearers in the
ground by the third week in April – A special mention and
thanks has to be made to the nine girls who planted just short
of a million plants in some pretty tough conditions. As
strawberry tunnels were going up sixty day being planted straw been laid
a confidence was spreading through the team and everything was
dropping into place, by the end of May the sixty day was in (a
big cheer as the last plant went in and a pretty special party
followed). A week or so to go before the start of picking
going over and over pallets tick, trays tick, labels tick,
sledges tick, transport tick, office systems tick, Assured
produce tick, BRC tick, and just as the smugness was creeping
in the dreaded phone call – sorry but you packing line is not
going to be ready in time. That wasn’t part of the plan! So a
plan B was quickly pulled out of the hat picking started the
second week of June with the fruit and packers having to be
transported up to Kenny Wallace of Blairgowerie an hour up the
road.
Kenny farms at Easter Essendy and has been a real star with
his local knowledge and help especially with the local
deliveries .
In the day that
we had the BRC accreditation passed with flying colors, our
packhouse have also been officially opened by the ASDA
technical and commercial Mark Bennelick, Richard Hatherley….
Picture above: Ewelina Cranston, Steve Sadler (AMS Account
Executive), Andrew Cranston, Helen McCue, Richard Hatherley (ASDA
buyer), Mark Bennelick (ASDA Technical Manager), Aurel
Voiculescu
Picture above: Ross William (NFUS regional manager), Steve
Sadler (AMS Account Executive), Richard Hatherley (ASDA buyer)
400 tons later were coming to the end of what I have to say
has been a very successful season just one more push to get
the next forty acres prepared for next year! |
Integrating
with the local community: barbeque organised by the local church and Well
Pict Scotland
