Vale drink maker’s appeal for elderflower harvest volunteers

The appeal comes from Belvoir Fruit Farms, which is hoping volunteers will step out to help pick the elderflower during the crucial six-week blooming season during May and June.

The picking takes place from Belvoir’s own 60 acres of organic plantations and from the wild surrounding hedgerows across Leicestershire and its three bordering counties.

Belvoir Fruit Farms, which is renown for its signature elderflower cordial, has teamed up with BBC TV presenter Gemma Hunt to raise awareness of the harvest.

She will be visiting Belvoir Farm next month to help pick and bring in the flowers and encourage people to head outdoors to discover the bounty of elderflowers in their own local area.

Pev Manners, managing director, said: “Last year, despite the difficult times, we were overwhelmed with support.

“Now we are all able to meet outside in groups of six, this is a great way to still lend a hand with a local harvest and have some fun with family and friends.

“Each year we have an incredible response from people around Leicestershire. Whether you’re an annual picker or a first-time volunteer, we’re really encouraging the local community to get behind us so we can gather the volume of elderflowers needed for our drinks.”

To ensure product freshness, pickers will be encouraged to pick and drop-off on the same day.

“At the farm, signage will ensure two-metre social distancing rules, there will be a one-way system for drop-off and payment and helpers will guide and advise pickers on the process.

“Pickers will be paid in cash once the elderflowers have been weighed and verified.”