21/12/2025
Last week I finally fitted the “Best in the West” plaque that my good friend Dean gave me.
His dad used to fit these back in the 1950s, and this one somehow never got fitted and stayed in his shed for 60 years…until now.
It now sits in what I believe to be the first traditional cider house built in Gloucestershire in the last 100 years - possibly even the country. The whole building has been built using reclaimed materials, deliberately made to look as though it’s been standing here for 150 years.
Those of you who are local might remember Ivy Ruck’s beautiful settle in the Five Mile House - I’ve done my best to recreate that feel and atmosphere inside.
The cider-making equipment itself was made by Workman & Sons in 1890, just a few villages down the road in Slimbridge, which feels fitting - proper local history, still doing what it was built to do.
One last thing…if anyone has any old oak barrels they’d be willing to part with, it would really finish off the interior. At the moment we’re making do with plastic and stainless, which works - but oak would complete the story.
If you know of any, or know someone who might, please get in touch. 🍎🍏
