About Brendon Orchards Cooperative
Brendon Orchards Co-operative brings people together to turn local apples — often destined for waste — into delicious, low-food-mile juice. Since 2007, we’ve been building a community that shares knowledge, equipment and friendship while protecting the biodiversity of our precious orchard habitats.
Our Story — how it all began
Brendon Orchards Co-operative began in 2007 with a simple mission: to make the most of local fruit that would otherwise be left to waste. What started as a small community effort has grown into a member-led co-operative that brings together people of all ages to enjoy, protect and make use of the orchard bounty on our doorstep.
We work closely with orchard owners who welcome our volunteer groups to pick and press their fruit. In return, they receive bottles of fresh juice — and the rest is sold at affordable prices to keep our services accessible to everyone.
In 2012, we established our headquarters at The Greenhouse in Wiveliscombe, where we now run juicing days, training sessions and community events.
A lasting home for our cooperative
In November 2023, we were delighted to be awarded £70,000 through the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund to help us purchase The Greenhouse on Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe, after more than ten years as tenants.
Once part of the historic Hancock’s Brewery, The Greenhouse connects our town’s heritage with the orchards, local produce and community activities at the heart of BOC. The award was an important step towards securing a long-term home for our cooperative and protecting a building that also provides space for small local businesses.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Community Ownership Fund, awarded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and everyone who has helped build our cooperative over the years.
Today, our community continues to grow. Together, our members and service users produced the equivalent of 230 bath tubs of juice in the most recent harvest — a testament to what local people can achieve when they work together.
Meet our team
The people behind Brendon Orchards
Meet the people who help Brendon Orchards make the most of local fruit and bring our community together.
Nick Guttmann
Chair
I love making the most of the apples we have. Making apple juice, cider and cider vinegar. The more you do with apples the more you learn what an amazing fruit it is. Brendon Orchards Cooperative is the place to experiment with all things apple.
Terry Evans
Treasurer
terry.evans@brendonorchards.co.uk
Likes: Helping with the Community Juicing, Big Picks and cider making.
Dislikes: Financial returns and tax forms!
Rosie Boylan
Trustee & Co-ordinator of Community Pressings
I really enjoy our Community Pressing Sessions which start in September. Thursday evenings are fun in the Greenhouse when individuals bring along their apples to press. We are really happy for people to join in and learn the process.
Using the bottling machine can be a messy job first time till you get the hang of it. It’s a fun and useful way for people to get together — we have a great bunch of volunteers too.
Jon Burgess
Pruning Course Tutor & Board Member
I was here at the start of the co-op and, despite taking a few years away, have now come back as juicing is just so much fun! As a forester, my main interest is the trees themselves. I deliver the pruning courses and lead the pruning service, taking a slightly different “tree first” approach; so if you need any help or advice to get the best from your trees, give me a call.
Judy Crosher
Board Member
I’ve been part of BOC since it started as the Apple Group in about 2009, when we delivered the kits to people’s homes and collected them afterwards. Buying the Greenhouse was a huge and very exciting step. Since then I’ve been the Board minute-taker, delivered juice to various shops, picked at Baghay — very enjoyable — pressed apples with the pupils at the primary school — ditto — and helped at the weekly Community Press — always a good evening.
Hugh Lailey
Board Member
To me, British apples have always been a real treat. Joining Brendon Orchards is a way to help preserve, share and celebrate this wonderful fruit.
Bex Maynard
Admin Support / Web Manager
I started in 2014 as Apple Press Manager, and only passed on the baton to Rupert when I moved away in 2021. It’s my pleasure to have been able to continue my involvement, although somewhat remotely now as I manage the website and handle admin and enquiries from the other side of Somerset. I love still being able to connect with a community who have become friends over the years. What’s not to love about apples?
What people say
“The flavour of your apple juice is divine! I was lucky enough to enjoy a blend of Red Devil and Adams Pearmain and it was out of this world — vibrant, fresh and delicious. You’ve certainly created some magic in those bottles!”
Want to be part of it?
There are plenty of ways to get involved — from becoming a member to volunteering your time or joining one of our activities.