On Tuesday 18th April Sir Bill Wiggin MP hosted an event in Parliament on behalf of the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) to mark the inaugural British Cider Week.  

Cider makers up and down the country took part, from small micro-businesses to household names.  

The event gave Members of Parliament the opportunity to taste various ciders from across the UK, including Westons who are based in Much Marcle, and to discuss the industry with experts.  

Sir Bill Wiggin, Member of Parliament for North Herefordshire, said:  

“Cider making is very important in Herefordshire, not only for the jobs and livelihoods it supports but also for the great tradition that it upholds.  

I am always proud to represent our growers and cider makers and I continue to argue for them in Westminster.  

I recently met twice with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and asked him to reconsider subjecting flavoured cider to wine duty and not cider duty which is lower. 

The cider content is the same so this duty is penalising cider makers.  

I am grateful for the work the NACM is doing to represent cider makers and support this wonderful industry.” 

Mark Hopper, Public Affairs Director of the National Association of Cider Makers, endorsing the campaign, added:  

“The cider industry has such a rich heritage. We have producers who span generations, as well as newer cider makers entering this exciting world for the first time. 

With such a diverse range of cider styles to explore, with our first British Cider Week we’re looking to encourage consumers to delve more into cider, perhaps by purchasing a pint in their local pub or restaurant, picking up a style they haven’t tried before with their weekly shop, or taking part in some of the events and activities that our producers are going to be organising throughout the week.” 

British Cider Week ran from 14th to 23rd April 2023 and saw cider makers across the UK putting on many different events and activities such as tours, tastings and competitions. 

For further information about the National Association of Cider Makers, please visit www.cideruk.com or contact info@cideruk.com.