Following the AGM, Caroline Ashdown provided valuable insights from this year’s Long Term Farm Stored fruit competition which was judged at AGA, Horsmonden on Wednesday 5 March 2025.

From 10 entries in this year’s Gala class, the winning sample scored an impressive 99.75 points. Consistent quality was noted across entries, though minor issues included slight greasiness and minimal shrivel. By comparison, Bramleys continued to hold up exceptionally well in storage, with judges finding minimal defects.

The ‘Any Other Variety’ class was highly competitive, with a Cameo entry winning narrowly, achieving 99 out of 100 points. As Jazz accounted for half of the AOV entries this year, it has been decided that it should move to its own dedicated class for the next competition, with predictions that Magic Star will also follow in its footsteps as volumes of this variety increase in the coming years. 

Conversely, due to the timing of the competition, Cox entries were low and so it has also been agreed that next year will see the variety merged into the ‘Any Other Variety’ class.

Caroline also encouraged more entries in the pear class for next season’s competition, praising this year’s submissions for their excellent ripening quality and appearance.

Finally, while the Braeburn class showed significant variation, highlighting differences in picking dates and clones, there was one entry which notably achieved the only perfect 100-point score in this year’s competition.

Trophies were presented by Claire Seymour to the winners as follows: 

Class 22 Gala
1st – Littlechild & Son Ltd
2nd – Chandler & Dunn
3rd – Ian Overy Farms

Class 23 Bramley
1st – A C Goatham & Son
2nd – Simon Bray
3rd – F W Mansfield & Son

Class 24 AOV Dessert
1st – A C Goatham & Son
2nd – Simon Bray
3rd – F W Mansfield & Son

Class 25 Cox OP
1st – Simon Bray

Class 26 Pears
1st – A C Goatham & Son
2nd – F W Mansfield & Son

Class 27 Braeburn
1st – Moatlands Farm Ltd
2nd – A Hinge & Sons
3rd – Adrian Scripps Ltd

The Ron Tassell Award for the Store Operator of the Best All Round Exhibit – Moatlands Farm Ltd, Carl Wildish.