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 – 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, UK – July 21^st 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of numerous accolades at this years Royal Welsh Show.  The Somerset based company were awarded with ‘Gold’ awards in the Mild Cheddar and the Red Leicester categories, ‘Silver’ for their Village Oak Cheddar in the ‘Export Class’ and both the salted and unsalted Farmhouse Butter.  Bronze was also awarded to Wyke Farms Vintage Cheddar in the Taste and Consumer Appeal category, the Vegetarian and the Double Gloucester categories.

This latest run of awards serves as further recognition for Wyke Farms the Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK, as recently reported by the Kantar World Panel.[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.

The 100 years of tradition at Wyke Farms have long since been matched by over 100 trophies, awards and prizes won by the company at national cheese shows. From an original 3,000 plus, Wyke Farms is now one of less than 20 farmhouse cheese makers remaining in the West Country and the only independent dairy company within the top 10 cheddar brands in the UK. With a family history dating back for more than a century, the company’s 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.

-ends-

(2)World Panel KPI Reporting 52 w/e 27 December 2009

(3)w/e 02^nd November 2008 (TNS World Panel KPI Reporting)

Somerset, UK – May 24, 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of numerous accolades at the Devon County Show Dairy Produce competition, including first prize awards in the Vintage Cheddar, Double Gloucester and Creamery Butter categories, as well as the high honour of Reserve Champion. Awarded on May 19^th, this verification of Wyke Farms’ traditional farmhouse cheddar and butter products serves as further recognition for the company as the Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK, as recently reported by the Kantar World Panel.[1]

In addition, the family-owned and operated farmhouse cheddar maker received 2^nd prize for their award-winning Red Leicester and Farmhouse Butter, as well as recognition for their ‘Cheese for a Dinner Party’ category. 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.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be kicking off the summer competition season with such an amazing start,” said Richard Clothier, Managing Director and third-generation family member at Wyke Farms. “We take consumer and competition feedback very seriously at Wyke Farms, and truly appreciate the genuine support we continue to receive year on year.”

The 100 years of tradition at Wyke Farms have long since been matched by over 100 trophies, awards and prizes won by the company at national cheese shows. From an original 3,000 plus, Wyke Farms is now one of less than 20 farmhouse cheese makers remaining in the West Country and the only independent dairy company within the top 10 cheddar brands in the UK. With a family history dating back for more than a century, the company’s 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.