Thatcher family reaping rewards of hot summer

THE Thatcher family have been harvesting cider apples at Myrtle Farm in Somerset every year since 1904.

- RICHARD BACHE

But never before have they had to begin collecting the orchards' bounty before the August bank holiday.

The hot and dry summer has brought harvest forwards by at least ten full days.

And the West's thirsty cider drinkers will be toasting news that it appears the apple crop will be a golden one.

The extreme weather conditions experienced by British farmers in 2025 are, though, very far from universally positive.

Poor grass growth has led to dairy and livestock farmers warning of the potential of a lack of winter feed for their herds and the pea harvest is reportedly 30 per cent down.

Cereal growers have also warned that this year's harvest is patchy, with different regions of the country faring better than others.