The Pomona Award is named after the Roman Goddess of apples, and is presented during October: CAMRA's Cider and Perry Month.
Much consideration and deliberation goes into each entrant and it must be noted that the Pomona Award is not automatically awarded annually as it may be decided, after long discussion that no presentation will be made. In essence the Pomona Award is presented by CAMRA to the person, people, place or thing who has done the most to promote real cider or perry over the previous 12 months or for ongoing work to promote cider and perry.
Each winner is set out below and again commended for their diverse range of activities and commitment to real cider and perry.
We are now looking for nominations for The Pomona Award 2010. This award is presented by CAMRA to the person, place or thing who has done the most to promote real cider or perry primarily over the previous 12 months but, where there is no outstanding contender in this category, consideration is then given to ongoing outstanding work in this field. Both internal and external candidates are considered for this award.
If you are aware of a person, organisation, place or thing eligible for consideration for the Pomona Award, please complete the Nomination Form.
The closing date for nominations is the 5th June 2010.
Fill out the Online Nomination Form
Nominations have now closed for this year and the winner will be announced in October.
2009 Mike Johnson
Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company at Broome Farm, Peterstow, Herefordshire
Mike Johnson, owner of the Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company at Broome Farm, Peterstow, Herefordshire, won CAMRA's prestigious award after a series of glowing nominations from CAMRA members and people within the cider and perry industry. Johnson was singled out particularly for his work in nurturing new talent in the cider world.
2008 Roger Wilkins, Wilkins Cider
Land's End Farm, Mudgley, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4TU
Somerset-based farmhouse cidermaker who learnt his trade at his grandfather's knee. Roger has been making cider since 1969, and wining CAMRA awards since the 1980's, notably taking the Cider of the Year accolade at both the 1988 and 1989 Great British Beer Festival. A unique and dedicated individual with a passion for his products which is hard to equal.
2007 The BIG APPLE Organising Committee, Putley, Herefordshire
www.bigapple.org.uk
For their unflagging support and involvement with real cider and perry by hosting Blossom Time and Harvest Time for over 15 years which are both an exhibition and a celebration.
2006 Joint Award to Jon Hallam and Jon Reeks
J.Hallam and Merrylegs respectively
For distributing real ciders & perries nationwide and supplying pubs & beer festivals with a range which would not otherwise be obtainable and encouraging farmers to produce cider & perry, few of whom could survive as cidermakers if they were forced to rely on farm gate sales alone.
2005 Dunkertons Cider Co., Ivor and Susie Dunkerton
www.dunkertons.co.uk
For their tireless work establishing cider and perry as a premium product since 1979, being the first producer in Herefordshire to be awarded soil association certification in 1988 and their extensive orcharding work.
2004 No Award Made.
2003 Cymdeithas Perai Seidr Cymru (Welsh Perry and Cider Society)
www.welshcider.co.uk
For raising the profile of Welsh Cider and Perry, arranging an annual competition for Welsh Producers, encouraging the planting of trees, identifying old varieties, and ensuring more pubs sell real cider and perry.
2002 Paul Johnson, Johnson's Farmhouse Cider
Cowstead Farm, Lower Road, Queenborough Road, Minster, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME12 3RL
For having the vision to plant an orchard of 50+ standard cider apple trees with a dozen different varieties.
2001 The National Collection of Cider and Perry - Rod Marsh
Middle Farm, Firle, Lewes, E Sussex, www.middlefarm.com
However Rod Marsh declined the award stating “My own contribution to cider in the UK is in its infancy compared to those whose families have striven to make out national beverage through several generations, laying before a very often indifferent British drinking public, cider of consistently superb quality, only to have it ignored in favour of the marketing men's latest brand. We need to wake up as a nation and appreciate what we have. If in a few years it can be reasonably argued that I have been actively instrumental, in some small way, in having brought about such an awakening, then please do not hesitate to offer the Pomona again.”
2000 No Award Made
1999 Kevin Minchew, Minchew's Real Cider & Perry
www.minchews.co.uk
For his dedication to tracing old often thought lost varieties of cider and perry fruit and ensuring they continue to be celebrated and enjoyed as real cider and perry.
1998 Gerry Alton at Brogdale
Home of the National Soft Fruit Collection, Faversham, Kent
For establishing Brogdale as a main genetic pool of cider and perry fruit and providing an excellent service to growers and producers.