Organisers of the National Fruit Show, the Marden Fruit Show Society, held its first dedicated members-only event on 12 August 2026 as part of a new initiative to provide greater value for growers and others working in the UK fruit sector who support the Society through membership.
Members visited McCanns Brewery at Hukins Hops near Tenterden, Kent for the inaugural event, which was sponsored by The Fruit Grower magazine and Torran Construction Ltd.
The evening formed part of the Society’s work to further strengthen the value of membership and encourage wider support from across the industry for its work. As a registered charity, the Society aims to promote the better growing, grading and marketing of fruit, delivering a national fruit-based education programme, the National Fruit Show, and annual commercial top fruit and nut competition.
Speaking at the brewery, Marden Fruit Show Society President Catherine Paice said: “The thinking behind a members-only event like this was to provide an opportunity to learn from other parts of the fruit and wider agricultural industry and, just as importantly, give members a chance to meet and exchange ideas outside an annual trade show setting.”
The first visit took members beyond the fruit sector to explore another branch of UK agriculture with strong links to some of the country’s main fruit growing regions.
McCanns Brewery operates from a converted American-style oast at Hukins Hops, with around 80 per cent of the hops used by the brewery grown on the farm.
During a tour of the brewery, members followed the brewing process from malt and hops through to conditioning, kegging and canning, while hearing how diversification and connections with other local agricultural businesses form part of the operation.
Spent grain from the brewing process is supplied to a local farmer for cattle feed, with beef subsequently returning to the brewery for use in the on-site Hop House kitchen’s menu. Members also heard about plans to install reed beds to allow water to be processed on site.
The visit concluded with a beer tasting and light supper, with members also able to watch the partial solar eclipse.
Show Manager Eileen Haffenden said: “We are very grateful to Paul and the McCanns team for welcoming us and giving such an interesting insight into the brewery, and to The Fruit Grower magazine and Torran Construction Limited for sponsoring our first members-only event.
“Thank you, too, to everyone who joined us and helped make the Society’s first members-only gathering such an enjoyable occasion. We would also encourage anyone who is not yet a member to find out more about joining the Society. Membership helps support the national education programme, the commercial fruit competition and the annual National Fruit Show.”
For information about membership of the Marden Fruit Show Society, Eileen can be contacted via email at: info@nationalfruitshow.org.uk.
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