Farm Focus - Bielby Berries

Helen and Peter first saw table top strawberry production when on Holiday in Holland in 1992. It took them some time to find the information and growing systems before they got their first twin span polutynnel. In 1993 they started production for supermarkets. At that time there were no manufactured tabletop systems around, sO Peter designed anc constructed a system that is still in use today. Today, they have two acres of glass house and half an acre of polytunnel. They grow Elsanta in compost bags planting 90,000 plants and produce two crops a year. "The last Autumn and Spring crops have produced our best ever results with each plant producing 1kg of fruit, the quality of plant material is very important and since we started growing under glass we have used Dutch plants from Hargreaves and Peter Wensak."

2002 saw Bielby Berries LTD working with AMS LTD for the first time. Helen is very pleased with the relationship she has formed with AMS' Richard Armstrong. "AMS makes the sale of our produce very easy and hassle free." It is because of this that Bielby Berries LTD is beginning to plan further expansion. "AMS are encouraging us to grow more to fill their orders".

One of the reasons Helen believes Bielby Berries is a success is their strong team work ethic, "at the beginning of the year we plan the dates, with Richard at AMS as to when the crops should be ready. Peter is the grower and concentrates on crop production. When the crop is ready I take charge of organising the harvesting, packing and haulage."

This year saw Bielby Berries take part in the local, scheme, "We began delivering directly into four ASDA stores as well as depot. We have been given out own Yorkshire label featuring a picture of York Minster." The whole project has been very successful for the team. "The York store began by ordering 20 trays three times a week, this built up to 100 trays a week three times a week! It was particularly exciting walking into the store and seeing a huge bank of our strawberries righit by the entrance, and hearing them announced over the tannoy."

The excessive high temperatures experienced this summer were causing problems during planting, but Peter devised a misting system run on a timer to help reduce the temperature and keep humidity high. Helen is confident it appears to have combatted the problem as it produced another reasonable crop.

Helen is lucky to have some very committed and dependable employees "we also work hard to produce a good living accommodation for our SAWS students. I think this helps to make a willing team when the hours are long and the work is hard.

Autumn 2003