Craft cider bursary brought back to boost progress in the sector
A grant to support the development of aspiring cider makers is being revived by the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association (TCCPA). The post Craft cider bursary brought back to boost progress in the sector appeared first on The Drinks Business.
A grant to support the development of aspiring cider makers is being revived by the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association (TCCPA).
The funding, named the Jean Nowell Bursary, was first launched in 2020 and now the initiative is being resurrected to help people further their progress and development in craft cider.
Previous successful applicants for the bursary include Emma Jordan of Blue Barrel Cider, James Finch of Chapel Sider aka The Cider Critic, and Rob Muir of the Temperance Cider Project.
Elizabeth Pimblett, director of the Museum of Cider, and co-chair of Cider Women explained: “Jean was a versatile and talented cider maker. In her memory, we hope the grant will allow cider makers to develop their skills in a way reflective of her spirit of encouragement and guidance.”
Richard Toft, development manager at Pershore College WCG said: “There is a very positive atmosphere around the whole of the craft drinks sector, with real innovation happening across the UK.”
According to the TCCPA, the bursary is in memory of Nowell because she had been a “tireless advocate for the progression and preservation of UK cider” and began making cider when she retired to Lyne Down Farm in Herefordshire in the eighties after restoring old equipment found there.
The TCCPA highlighted how Nowell had used traditional apple and pear varieties discovered in her orchards and had been an early participant in The Big Apple festivals and had suggested the Big Apple host Cider & Perry Trials which later became known as the Putley Trials.
Toft added: “I hope that the bursaries can help to stimulate the producers of the future, and/or new product developments within the sector. I am hoping to see creative ideas of where the bursaries can be used to seed-fund new ideas.”
Applications are invited from cider makers within the UK, with the first deadline being 2 March 2025. To apply, applicants must review The Jean Nowell Bursary guidelines and download and return the application form from the association’s website.
The TCCPA has also revealed that, while there are no age or experience limits, preference will be given to novice commercial cidermakers and projects where the bursary is being used to fund the applicant’s personal development.
The TCCPA will announce the successful candidate at this year’s CraftCon held on the 27-28 March in Hereford.
The funding, named the Jean Nowell Bursary, was first launched in 2020 and now the initiative is being resurrected to help people further their progress and development in craft cider.
Previous successful applicants for the bursary include Emma Jordan of Blue Barrel Cider, James Finch of Chapel Sider aka The Cider Critic, and Rob Muir of the Temperance Cider Project.
Elizabeth Pimblett, director of the Museum of Cider, and co-chair of Cider Women explained: “Jean was a versatile and talented cider maker. In her memory, we hope the grant will allow cider makers to develop their skills in a way reflective of her spirit of encouragement and guidance.”
Richard Toft, development manager at Pershore College WCG said: “There is a very positive atmosphere around the whole of the craft drinks sector, with real innovation happening across the UK.”
According to the TCCPA, the bursary is in memory of Nowell because she had been a “tireless advocate for the progression and preservation of UK cider” and began making cider when she retired to Lyne Down Farm in Herefordshire in the eighties after restoring old equipment found there.
The TCCPA highlighted how Nowell had used traditional apple and pear varieties discovered in her orchards and had been an early participant in The Big Apple festivals and had suggested the Big Apple host Cider & Perry Trials which later became known as the Putley Trials.
Toft added: “I hope that the bursaries can help to stimulate the producers of the future, and/or new product developments within the sector. I am hoping to see creative ideas of where the bursaries can be used to seed-fund new ideas.”
Applications are invited from cider makers within the UK, with the first deadline being 2 March 2025. To apply, applicants must review The Jean Nowell Bursary guidelines and download and return the application form from the association’s website.
The TCCPA has also revealed that, while there are no age or experience limits, preference will be given to novice commercial cidermakers and projects where the bursary is being used to fund the applicant’s personal development.
The TCCPA will announce the successful candidate at this year’s CraftCon held on the 27-28 March in Hereford. 
