Somerset, UK 21^st May 2012: - Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have started their biggest summer sampling tour yet, which is set to reach over 1 million consumers.  Visiting 37 National consumer events over a 6-month period, the Wyke Farms tour trailer can’t be missed with a 2.5 metre inflatable cow flying from the roof.

The general public will be invited into the Wyke Farms trailer to taste the award winning cheddar in a traditional farmhouse kitchen layout. Wyke Farms’ extensive and unique heritage has been displayed with original family and farming photos, awards and video footage (including the video of the infamous Wyke Farms dancing cows!) on board the 8 metres squared trailer.

Wyke Farms are sampling their farmhouse cheddar at The BBC Good Food Show, The Royal Bath & West Show, Opera in the Park and the Grand Designs Show among others. Product sampling includes Wyke Farms Simply Gorgeous Vintage Cheddar, Just Delicious Extra Mature Cheddar, Superlight Half Fat Cheddar and the new ‘Crunchy’ Cheddar.

Wyke Farms has been producing its award-winning cheddar for over a century and has grown to become the largest family-owned cheese maker in Britain selling over 14,000 tonnes annually. The company have achieved substantial growth year on year by staying true to the traditional values behind the brand and have become the fastest growing cheddar brand at a rate of 10% every year for the past five years.

Wyke Farms have 150 years of family farming experience. Wyke Farms’ cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.

The Wyke Farms products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s Tesco and Waitrose.

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Somerset, UK 16^th April, 2012: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today announce new listings with Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

All Waitrose stores will now include the Wyke Farms Rich and Creamy Mature Cheddar in both 320gram and 250gram packs. The company’s best selling cheddar Just Delicious Extra Mature and Simply Gorgeous Vintage will also be available from all Waitrose stores.

Selected Sainsbury stores will now be stocking Wyke Farms Rich and Creamy Mature Cheddar, Simply Gorgeous Vintage  and Just Delicious Extra Mature in 320gram packs.

The Wyke Farms Rich and Creamy Mature Cheddar can also be found in 200 extra convenience stores across the UK.

Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms said: “the loyalty to the Wyke brand is helping us to grow baseline sales and demand from shoppers is growing our distribution – these are exciting times for Wyke.”

Wyke Farms have 150 years of family farming experience. Wyke Farms’ cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.

The Wyke Farms products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose.

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Somerset, UK – 27^th March, 2012 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today launch their new extra mature farmhouse cheddar ‘Crunchy’. The name perfectly describes the naturally occurring calcium lactate crystals within the cheddar that gives it the unmistakable Wyke Farms crunch.

Worth waiting for:

The new Crunchy Cheddar goes through a careful maturation period, for up to two years, under the watchful eye of the master cheese maker.  It takes this long for the calcium lactate crystals to develop and only when the cheese reaches the right balance of ‘crunch’ within a ‘smooth’ creamy texture will it be picked for packing.

Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms said: My family used to joke that the crunchy bits are the granite in the Mendip Hills that come through the lush green grass our cows graze on. As a family we are very proud of the new ‘Crunchy’ cheese, with a rich, tangy, rounded flavour and a subtle crunchy texture we have achieved a perfectly balanced cheddar ”

Cheese fans request Crunchy:

The idea for ‘Crunchy’ came from discussions on Facebook and Twitter where cheese fans were debating the crunchy particles found in Wyke Farms’ Vintage cheddar.  Opinion was divided on how to best use Vintage cheddar as an every day cheese, but the over whelming love for the crunchy bits was clear.  Over four thousand Facebook fans agreed that they’d like to try cheddar with a smooth and creamy texture that also had the tangy, crunchy particles.

Like the existing Wyke Farms range, ‘Crunchy’ is available in a re-closable stay fresh pack.  The RRP for Wyke Farms Crunchy is £3.45 and is available nationally in Waitrose stores.

Wyke Farms have 150 years of family farming experience. Wyke Farms’ cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.

The Wyke Farms products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose. 

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Somerset, UK – 4^th November, 2011 – The Dairy Crest / NFU West County Dairy Award has been won by Tom Burns, from Honiton. Tom was one of four finalists – including Toby Wonnacott, winner of the ‘Wyke Farms Award’  – selected for specialized knowledge, practical experience and commitment to the dairy industry.  The finalists were chosen from 33 applicants from four counties and will receive cash awards to continue their studies and careers in the dairy industry.

This is the eighth year in a row that Wyke Farms has contributed to the Dairy Crest / NFU Scholorship Fund responsible for The West Country Dairy Awards.  The 2011 ‘Wyke Farms’ Award is a £1000 cash prize, awarded to Toby Wonnacott, Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Dorset who is studying agriculture at Kingston Maurward, Dorset.

Sixteen-year-old Wonnacott demonstrated his knowledge of cow breeding, welfare and milk production at the final interview for the West County Dairy Awards with an impressive maturity, resulting in the presentation of the Wyke Farms award.

“I am delighted that Toby has won this award. It’s imperative that our industry encourages young people such as Toby.  It is people like him that will ensure British Dairying with be competing on a world level over the coming years, particularly with new markets opening up such as China and India for our milk products,” said Rich Clothier, third generation family member and managing director, Wyke Farms.

Toby is a member of the Holstein Society, lending a helping hand at various dairy shows across the UK. He has taken an interest in diet consultation, breeding and genetics of cows to continue the improvement of breeding.

The scholarship fund was set up in 1925 by United Dairies, the forerunner of Unigate – now Dairy Crest.  Wyke Farms and ABN Agri also add to the fund to encourage youngsters in the dairy industry so that the UK can have the efficient and competitive dairy sector that it deserves.

An executive committee manages the Trust, with three Trustees and an advisory committee. It is run jointly with the NFU and awards grants to children of farmers and farm employees who are over 16 years old, living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and studying a dairy related topic.  Applicants are assessed by interview and finalists are selected to be considered for the top awards.

 Somerset, UK 19^th October, 2011: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have launched its Christmas advertising campaign to reach over three million consumers in the UK. The Somerset based company will use print advertising to continue to tell the story of its extensive150year heritage.

The coming months will see the brand further invest into mass media promotional activity with adverts in the following consumer titles: BBC Good Food, Readers Digest, Woman and Home, Waitrose Kitchen, Red, OK!, Hello and Good Housekeeping. The print advert shares the story of Wyke Farms cheddar in Somerset and the importance of family in the creation of the UK’s favourite Farmhouse Cheddar.

Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms said: “This year has marked a major milestone for my family and Wyke Farms – 150 years producing Cheddar from my Grandmother’s original recipe. We have always taken pride on being the UK’s favourite farmhouse cheddar and we are making significant investments into connecting with our consumers and continuing the excellence they deserve. We feel this press campaign resonates our provenance and family farming in the Somerset countryside roots.”

Wyke Farms have 150 years of family farming experience. Its cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.  This is reflected in the design of the adverts and the new packaging.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset. Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose.

Somerset, UK – 03^rd October 2011 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, is celebrating its 150^th year in style, and by no means resting on its laurels. Bound by its passion for producing fine Farmhouse Cheddar and its pride in maintaining the traditional farming heritage, 150 plus national cheese shows awards in one year means Wyke Farms is no “cottage industry”- It is the No. 1 Farmhouse Cheddar in the UK.

“To say we are proud is an understatement,” said Richard Clothier, third-generation family member and managing director. “150 years is something special. Today, as a family business we still base all our recipes on our Grandmother Ivy’s original. We see this year as a chance to remember where we started, and with 150 awards (and counting) for our cheddar marks our achievement today. Here’s to the next 150!”

2011 is a record-breaking year for Wyke Farms and further recognition that it is the Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK, as reported by the Kantar World Panel in 2010.[1] This year’s awards include 11 Winner accolades, two Star awards, 26 First places, 20 Gold awards, 21 Second places, 22 Silver awards, 18 Third places, two Forth places, two “Highly Commended” awards, 24 Bronzes awards, and three Finalist awards, with more to come!

Wyke Farms are committed to continually improving its offering to the retail industry and consumers. Richard Clothier comments, “During October our management team will be conducting a key retail buyers tour where we will update the industry on our 2012 strategy but more importantly get feedback on how we can improve and add further value to the Cheddar category.”

Known for its unique provenance and the superior quality of its products, Wyke Farms has maintained the art of traditional cheese-making on its Somerset farm, where the Clothier family have been making traditional farmhouse cheddar to its original secret recipe since 1861.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset. Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose.

Somerset, UK – 24^th August 2011 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of 39 awards and five cups at the Mid Somerset Show. The 44 prizes include 17 1^st place awards, 14 2^nd place awards and eight 3^rd place awards, as well as five trophies for:

-       Most points in show

-       Champion Cheese

-       Reserve Champion Cheese

-       Overall winner of Cheddar Cheesemakers

-       Best Butter in Show

The Mid Somerset Show is one of the largest free agricultural events in the UK, attracting over 15,000 visitors. Wyke Farms is in the process of claiming the number of prizes as a world record with Guinness World Records.

“It is an immense honour for the team at Wyke to have our quality recognised at the Mid Somerset Show,” said Richard Clothier, third-generation family member and managing director. “Only 5 miles from cheddar and to win nearly all of the prizes is a testament to the quality of our local milk and the attention to detail of our team. My grandmother would have been very proud.’

2011 is set to be another award-winning year for Wyke Farms and the recent show serves as further recognition that its the Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK, as reported by the Kantar World Panel in 2010.[1] Known for their unique provenance and the superior quality of their products, Wyke Farms has maintained the art of traditional cheese-making on their Somerset farm, where the Clothier family have been making traditional farmhouse cheddar to their original secret recipe since 1902.

Wyke Farms have 150 years of family farming experience and have long since been matched by over 100 trophies, awards and prizes won by the company at national cheese shows.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset. Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose.

Somerset – May 10, 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today revealed the latest brand performance figures from Kantar World Panel KPI Reporting[1], the world’s leading provider of continuous, consumer panels and market research solutions. The data confirms Wyke Farms as the best selling Farmhouse Cheddar brand within the category in the UK.

Wyke Farms has shown double-digit growth in brand sales over the past 12 months (Wyke Farms is now a £72 million brand), and with a 20 percent year on year growth[2], the brand is projected to continue to perform well during 2010. In addition, the family-owned brand has continued to add incremental value at retail, which is up 3.5 percent[3] over the brand average. This significant achievement stands as further proof that Wyke Farms is continuing to cement its position as an added value brand within the category.

“In times like these, consumers are looking to spend their hard-earned money on brands that mean something to them,” said Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms. “As the only national Cheddar brand with provenance and a true point of difference, our core values really stand out in the crowd and resonate with British consumers.”

The Wyke Farms brand continues to be supported by national TV and press advertising this year, as well as a busy sampling programme that will reach over 2 million consumers over the summer months. In addition, Wyke Farms’ forward thinking approach to PR and the use of social media, has seen a growth in the popularity of the brands Facebook fan page, which hosts regular consumer competitions and giveaways.

Wyke Farms is a family run company based in Somerset and are the only independent dairy company within the top 10 cheddar brands in the UK.  The company has been making cheddar to the same family recipe since 1902 and have achieved substantial growth year on year by staying true to the traditional values behind the brand.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose.

Somerset, UK – January 25, 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have released new data from TNS[1] confirming retail sales from December ‘08 – December ‘09 reached 70 million, the highest figure the company has ever achieved. Indicative of the company’s fast growth strategy and position as strongest challenger brand within the category, this figure represents a benchmark for Wyke Farms who intend to go even further in 2010.

Despite the tough trading environment during 2009 Wyke Farms achieved a significant increase in sales during the year and attribute much of their success to smarter above the line promotional activity and a strong sampling program.  Substantial investment into brand awareness took place during 2009 when Wyke Farms increased high impact print and broadcast advertising campaigns. The company also reached over 3 million members of the public on their sampling tours.

Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, is planning further activity this year,  “2009 presented us all with some unprecedented challenges, it’s exactly that type of environment where entrepreneurial thinking and a genuine passion for what you do shines through.  We are planning extra investment into brand awareness during 2010 with targeted print and broadcast advertising campaigns, using TV and national food titles, to inspire confidence with our suppliers, customers and consumers.”

Wyke Farms, known for their unique provenance and the superior quality of their products, have maintained the art of traditional cheese making on their Somerset farm where the Clothier family have been making cheddar to Ivy Clothier’s same original secret recipe since 1902.  Staying loyal to the families’ heritage and approach to farming has given Wyke Farms a unique ability to produce a wide variety of traditional, real farmhouse cheddars.

The 100 years of tradition at Wyke Farms are now matched by over 100 trophies, awards and prizes won by the company at national cheese shows.  From an original 3000 plus, Wyke Farms is now one of less that 20 farmhouse cheese makers remaining in the West Country and today its mild, mature, extra mature and vintage cheddars are sold throughout Europe in over 25,000 retailers.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose.

[1] World Panel KPI Reporting 52 w/e 27 December 2009

For over one hundred years the special Christmas line of premium vintage cheddar has been reserved for family and close friends during the holiday season. This year however, the special Christmas cheese; a specially selected line of the Wyke Farms Ivy’s Vintage Reserve, is also available to the public for the month of December.

Ivy’s family founded Wyke Farms in the 1900s and now, three generations later, the Clothier family continues to use her celebrated 100-year-old recipe for turning their fresh milk into award-winning cheese with perfect texture and exquisite taste. Fresh milk is collected daily from Wyke’s local farms, where the cows are grazing the lush pastures in the heart of Somerset, the milk is then made into cheddar at the dairy near Bruton.

The Ivy’s Vintage Reserve Cheddar then goes through a careful maturation period, for no fewer than 15 months, under the watchful eye of the head cheese maker.  The traditional art of cheese making is maintained at Wyke Farms as the skilled cheese maker carefully brings all of the ingredients from the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills into full development of taste and texture.

“The Christmas line of Cheddar is our premium vintage at its best” Commented Richard Clothier, third generation family member and Managing Director. He continues “It’s been a tradition to save this for family and friends for over 100 years but this year we want to share it out with those who have the same passion for cheddar as we do”

The 100 years of tradition at Wyke Farms are now matched by over 100 trophies, awards and prizes won by the company at national cheese shows.  From an original 3000 plus, Wyke Farms is now one of less that 20 farmhouse cheese makers remaining in the West Country and today its mild, mature, extra mature and vintage cheddars are sold throughout Europe in over 25,000 retailers.

Wyke Farms has been producing award-winning cheddar for over a century and has grown to become the largest family-owned cheese maker in Britain selling over 12,000 tonnes annually. The company have achieved substantial growth year on year by staying true to the traditional values behind the brand and have become the fastest growing cheddar brand at a rate of 82% year on year.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose.  The limited edition Christmas cheddar is available from Asda stores and priced at £5.00 for a 600g block.