With Wimbledon around the corner Brooke Farm in Nottinghamshire has been preparing for the inevitable increase in strawberry demands.
Wimbledon is one of the landmark events of British summer but the famous strawberries and cream served there have become just as much a part of that culture.
Last years tournament saw 142,000 portions (28,000 kilograms) of strawberries eaten at the event.
Strawberries were originally only available in the summer but despite being available all year round now farmers still experience what’s dubbed as the ‘Wimbledon rush’ when Britain’s premier tennis tournament approaches.
Brooke Farm in Linby grows all sorts of fruit including raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries but there’s only one berry on visitor’s minds at this time of the year.
Ian Holland, Team Manager at Brooke Farm said: “We’re always busy in the run up to Wimbledon, lots of people are looking for fresh English strawberries and we always advertise them around this time of year.
“We like to encourage as many people as we can to come out and hopefully have an hour or so out on the field picking strawberries.”
Ian Holland gives some tips on picking the perfect strawberry.
As well as keeping the British summer strawberry tradition alive, Brooke Farms also offers people with learning difficulties a chance to gain some work experience and learn some horticultural skills.
Russ Potter, a Daycare Officer at Brooke Farm, said: “Our aim is to introduce them to the working world and just give some general training in horticulture and the ways of work.”
Russ Potter talks about the work experience gained at Brooke Farm.
British Summer Fruits has predicted that strawberry sales in the country are set to reach £325 million this year, topping last years record of £275 million, showing that Britain’s love affair with a summer strawberry or two is far from over.
