Welsh cidermaker welcomes budget

WELSH CIDERMAKER WELCOMES BUDGET

Gwynt Y Ddraig, the award-winning Welsh cidermaker have today welcomed George Osborne's first budget which does not set out to penalise cidermakers as the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer chose to do.

According to Bill George, Operations Director of Gwynt Y Ddraig, “In these difficult times it was a relief to hear that the proposed 10% tax on our products will not go ahead and we also welcome the freeze on cider duty announced in the budget today. This is a good budget for us and the rest of the cidermaking fraternity throughout the country. We can now look forward to growing our business and even taking on more staff, something which the 10% cidertax would have prevented us from doing. It is good to finally have a Government that supports our traditional rural industries and not penalises them for their successes”.

Gwynt Y Ddraig Facts:

• Gwynt Y Ddraig was founded in 2001 by local farmer Bill George and his nephew Andrew Gronow
• 450 tons of fruit were pressed last year
• Black Dragon Cider was judged 'Best International Cider' in 2010
• Orchard Gold Cider was commended in the True Taste Drink (Alcoholic) awards 2007/8
• Gwynt Y Ddraig Farmhouse Sweet was judged “Best Sweet Cider” at the Bath Cider Festival 2008
• Gwynt Y Ddraig Perry was voted Champion Perry of Wales at the Welsh Cider Festival 2008
• Gwynt Y Ddraig have previously won Champion Cider and Perry of Britain, as judged by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Further Information:

Bill George, Operations Director, 0779 106 6240

or

Andy Gronow, Production Director, 0779 106 6257

Llest Farm, Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, RCT, CF38 2PW

www.gwyntcider.com