Top fruit growers in West Kent who market their fruit through Norman Collett Ltd, one of the industry's leading sales and distribution organisations, celebrated  no less than nine times last Thursday (July 30) when the results of the 58th Goudhurst and Paddock Wood fruit spraying and orchard management competition were announced.  Managed under the umbrella of the National Farmers' Union the competition was sponsored for the first time this season by Norman Collett Ltd.

Overall champion was Alan Firmin Ltd, a member of Mid Kent Growers (www.midkentgrowers.co.uk), whose Blue House Farm, Marden, provided the winning setting for the traditional orchard walk for over 50 growers prior to the prize giving.

Congratulating all the entrants Andy Sadler, managing director of Norman Collett Ltd said ‘Prestigious competitions such as this are one of the showcases for the industry reflecting the increasingly higher standards which are being achieved’.

"English apples and pears are recognised as a high quality product reflected in the fact that the event has been attended by senior executives from Tesco, including David Croxson, senior buyer, Edward Palmer category technical manager, and John Worth, technical manager for top fruit."

Judging of the numerous farm entries took place over three days by an independent panel of technologists and industry experts.

Farms are scrutinised, not for just for good growing and management practice, but strict attention is paid to how contestants implement environmental conservation and management strategies and  their success in reducing chemical inputs and the use of alternative therapies.

Alan Firmin was not only the overall winner in a competition of 19 awards, but also was recognised in four other separate classes of excellence.  These were the BASF trophy for ongoing improvements achieved since entry the previous year; the Drake and Fletcher trophy in the use of pesticides and diseases sector; the KEF trophy for the highest marks in Class II , and the Group secretary award for management.

Bardsley & Sons, Heronden Farm scooped the UAP trophy for the most meritorious entry judged on the quality and quantity of Cox apples, and also achieved the second highest mark for Class I presented by Willis Corroon South Ltd.

G.H. Chambers of Northiam Farm won the prestigious LEAF trophy, and shared the Bayer UK trophy for coming third in the entire competition.