Wyke Farms boosts export trade facilities
ONE of the Westcountry’s leading cheddar makers has announced the completion of a new export ‘centre of excellence’, as soaring global demand gives cause for further expansion.
The state-of-the-art facility at Wyke Farms includes a significant increase in cheese maturing capacity, with an additional 2,500 tonnes of cheddar stocks being aged on site to support the growing appetite for its 18-month-old Ivy’s Vintage Secret Recipe Cheddar across the world.
Based at Wincanton in Somerset, the energy-efficient site has been built to incorporate solar, heat recovery and air-sourced heat pumps, with increased cheese dispatch storage to allow the family-run company to better consolidate container orders prior to export in a post-Brexit world.
Supported by a £1.3 million food processing grant under the Government’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) growth programme, this latest development forms part of Wyke Farms’ ‘100% Green’ Sustainability Plan, through which they have dramatically reduced their carbon footprint and become the first national cheddar brand to be 100% self-sufficient, using their own energy generated from solar and biogas.
Rich Clothier, managing director and third generation family member at Wyke Farms, said: “This investment, supported by the RDPE growth programme, is vital in preparing our business to service our growing export markets across the world.
“Built to the highest environmental standards, this export hub will allow us to continue to export more of my grandmother’s Ivy’s Vintage cheddar to over 160 countries in a post-Brexit world, in the most environmentally responsible way helping to secure jobs and livelihoods of people in Somerset.”
One of the UK’s largest independent cheese producers and milk processors, Wyke Farms produces over 13,000 tonnes of cheddar per year to the same award-winning recipe, established in 1861 by Ivy Clothier. Remaining a truly traditional family business, Ivy’s grandsons, Richard and Tom, now run the cheese-making operations with their father, John, whilst her other two grandsons, David and Roger, run the dairyfarming operations.
The eco-friendly expansion accommodates an additional highspeed cutting and packing line for increased volume, as well as longerlife cheese packs for export markets.
Paul Caldwell, chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), added: “The RPA is pleased to have been able to support this project through funding from the Growth Programme. The investment brings much needed additional export capability and job creation to Wyke Farm’s cheese processing facility. Just as importantly, it offers increased stability to the dairy farmers who supply the milk that goes into the cheese at a difficult time for the sector.”
AFISHERMAN who died in a tragic accident on a boat last weekend has been described as a “true Cornish gentleman” by those who knew him.
Tributes have been paid to Leigh Spencer, 50, from Millbrook, who was fatally injured on the vessel off the Isles of Scilly last Saturday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said a second crew member was taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital with minor injuries and was later discharged.
Emergency services were called to the fishing trawler, Cornishman, which was some 50 miles off the Cornish coast.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is now conducting an independent investigation into what happened last Saturday on the beam trawler.
An MAIB spokesperson said: “The MAIB is conducting a safety investigation into a fatal accident on the beam trawler Cornishman.
“Sadly, one fisherman died and another suffered injuries in the accident. A team of MAIB inspectors have deployed to Newlyn, Cornwall.”
Meanwhile, police enquiries, assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), are continuing on behalf of the coroner.
An online fundraiser, the Leigh Spencer Memorial Fund on JustGiving, has been launched by the family of Mr Spencer.
His father Christopher wrote on the website: “Leigh was killed on Saturday, February 6, in a tragic accident aboard the fishing vessel he worked on. He leaves his wife Analiza and two young children, Theo and Issabella.
“We’ve started this page to raise money to cover Leigh’s funeral arrangements, and also to provide for Analiza and the children now that their husband and father is no longer there for them. If you knew
Leigh, then you’ll understand how devastated we all are at his loss.
“His smile would light up a room and he was the instigator of much merriment. Joy and generosity are words that spring to mind when we think of him.”
The fundraiser was looking to raise a total of £10,000, but by yesterday had raised over £12,000, with more than 330 people donating money.
Paul Taylor wrote on the website: “Such a lovable man, humble, kind, a true Cornish gentleman, lost for words, my deepest thoughts and sympathy to the Spencer family.”
Wendy Penwill wrote: “Such a kind man with a cheeky smile. Many happy memories growing up in Kingsand. You will be sorely missed.”
Dan Williams also posted a tribute. He wrote: “So sorry for your loss, Leigh was a brilliant man to sail with and an even better friend, he will be missed by many and never forgotten.”