'Apples are my passion' - Crediton cider maker gets award

A craft cider maker who has spent 25 years in the industry and set up his own successful business has been given an award in recognition of his service to the sector.

Barny Butterfield was working as a farm labourer before he had an idea that would eventually see him set up Sandford Orchards near Crediton in Devon, which now spans 150 acres (60.7 Hectares) and produces seven million bottles of cider a year.

Butterfield has been given a lifetime achievement award by the Royal Bath and West Society for his efforts to keep cider making vibrant.

"I didn't invent cider making but people wanted it back where it belonged in Devon," he said.

He said it all started from a borrowed tractor, a garden shed and the generosity of farmers who "gave me the leg up".

While many other successful cider producers have been bought by global companies, Sandford remains independent, and Butterfield said the business had grown consistently.

"There was a much bigger demand (for cider) than supply. I would make more every year, and people would buy it all , so I made some more."

"You cannot make great cider, without great apples, and you cannot grow great apples without the right soil and the right climate, and Devon has the perfect ingredients for making great cider," he said.

Despite his business success, Butterfield still feels more of a farmer than an entrepreneur.

"I love farming and making cider - those are my passions, and my business has grown, simply because the product is good".

His lifetime achievement award was in recognition of his wider contribution to the cider industry over many years. He has mentored emerging producers, as well as working with the University of Bristol to identify and preserve lost apple varieties.

Butterfield is humble about receiving his lifetime achievement award at the Royal Bath and West show in June

He said: "I have the zeal of a convert. What looks like I have knowledge and skills, is actually me being amazed at what I find and discover and I can't help telling people, so I think my award is for being a big mouth."

According to the National Association of Cider Makers more than 40% of the world's cider was consumed in the UK with the majority of it made in the West county.

About 98% of cider made in the UK is consumed here, making it one of Britain's most consumed home grown products.

Butterfield said his legacy will be "apple trees and orchards".

He said: "I've created more than 150 acres of new orchards in Devon. Men and women have crafted these apples over generations to make amazing drinks, so they need preserving for the future".

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