Latest News
04
Nov
Wyke Farms Sponsors Scholarship Fund to Foster Dairy Industry Talent
2011 West County Dairy Award Winners Announced
Somerset, UK – 4th November, 2011 - The Dairy Crest / NFU West County Dairy Award has been won by Tom Burns, from Honiton. Tom was one of four finalists – including Toby Wonnacott, winner of the ‘Wyke Farms Award’ - selected for specialized knowledge, practical experience and commitment to the dairy industry. The finalists were chosen from 33 applicants from four counties and will receive cash awards to continue their studies and careers in the dairy industry.
19
Oct
Wyke Farms Invest in National Christmas Advertising Campaign
Wyke Farms Celebrates 150 years, Continues to Share its Extensive Family Farming Story
Somerset, UK 19th October, 2011: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have launched its Christmas advertising campaign to reach over three million consumers in the UK. The Somerset based company will use print advertising to continue to tellthe story of its extensive150year heritage.
03
Oct
Wyke Farms Celebrates 150 Years of the UK’s Favourite Farmhouse Cheddar
Family run Farm Exceeds 150 National Cheese Shows Awards during its 150th Year!
Somerset, UK – 03rd October 2011 –Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, is celebrating its 150th year in style, and by no means resting on its laurels. Bound by its passion for producing fine Farmhouse Cheddar and its pride in maintaining the traditional farming heritage, 150 plus national cheese shows awards in one year means Wyke Farms is no “cottage industry”- It is the No. 1 Farmhouse Cheddar in the UK.
24
Aug
Wyke Farms Breaks Award Records at Mid Somerset Show
Family run Farm Wins an Impressive 44 Prizes, Claiming Guinness World Record
Somerset, UK – 24th August 2011 –Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of 39 awards and five cups at the Mid Somerset Show. The 44 prizes include 17 1st place awards, 14 2nd place awards and eight 3rd place awards, as well as five trophies for:
03
Aug
Wyke Farms Brings Home the Gold at Nantwich 2011
Family run Wyke Farms wins Fifteen Awards at the International Cheese Show
Somerset, UK – 3rd August 2011 –Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of fifteen awards from the International Cheese Awards at the Nantwich Show 2011, adding to its fast growing collection of cheese awards this year.
Surpassing the number of awards won at last years show, the Somerset based company received Gold in the following categories: Best English Cheese Cheddar, Best Organic Cheese, and Vintage Cheddar.
In addition, Wyke Farms also received the following Silver and Bronze accolades in the following categories at the Nantwich Show:
15
Jun
Wyke Farms Grows National Distribution
Significant increase in listings among multiples gives Wyke Farms cheddar a stronger in store brand presence
Somerset, UK 15th June, 2011: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today announce new listings with Asda, The Co-op, Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose.
Selected Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose stores will now include the Wyke Farms Rich and Creamy Mature Cheddar. The company’s best selling cheddar Just Delicious Extra Mature will now be available at Lidl, and Morrisons will be including ‘Super Light’ the half fat offering from Wyke Farms. In addition, The Co-op has increased store space and the number of stores stocking Wyke Farms.
24
May
Wyke Farms Invest in National Summer Advertising Campaign
Largest print and out door advertising campaign to date will see 95 billboard locations and 9 National consumer titles run Wyke Farms advertising
Somerset, UK 25th May, 2011: Wyke Farms, the UK's largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have launched their Summer advertising campaign to reach over 15.5 million consumers in the UK. For the first time Wyke Farms are using both print advertising and outdoor billboard advertising making this the biggest campaign yet for the Somerset based company.
16
May
Wyke Farms launch extensive summer sampling tour to reach over 1 million consumers
New mobile tour trailer hits the road on route to 30 consumer events
Somerset, UK 16th May, 2011: - Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have officially kicked off their biggest summer sampling tour yet, which is set to reach over 1 million consumers. Visiting 30 National consumer events over a 6-month period, the new tour trailer can’t be missed with a 2.5 metre inflatable cow flying from the roof!
The new trailer has a traditional farmhouse kitchen layout where people are invited in to taste the award-winning cheddar. Wyke Farms’ extensive and unique heritage has been displayed with original family and farming photos, awards and video footage on board the 8 metres squared trailer.
Wyke Farms are sampling their farmhouse cheddar at The BBC Good Food Show, The Royal Bath & West Show, Opera in the Park and the Ascot Food Festival among others. Product sampling includes Wyke Farms Simply Gorgeous Vintage Cheddar, Just Delicious Extra Mature Cheddar and Superlight Half Fat Cheddar. Consumers will also be offered
21
Mar
Wyke Farms’ Farmhouse Butter Rebranded
Award-winning farmhouse butter gets new name and pack design
Somerset, UK – 21st March 2011: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today unveil the latest in their recent brand refresh. The award-winning Truly Scrumptious Farmhouse Butter has been renamed ‘Ivy’s Original Farmhouse Butter’ to better fit within the core Wyke Farms range. The change comes as part of a complete brand refresh to include the ‘150 years of family farming’ badge on all packaging. The ‘Ivy’s’ brand more accurately reflects the quality, history & provenance of the product by featuring Matriarch and brand founder Ivy Clothier.
18
Jan
Record Christmas sales takes Wyke Farms ahead of McLelland Seriously Strong
New brand data reports exceptional growth over last 12 weeks
Somerset – January 18th 2011 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today revealed the latest brand performance figures from Kantar 12 weeks to 26th December 10. The data confirms a 26% rise compared to the same period last year and pushes the brand ahead of McLelland Seriously Strong for the first time during this Christmas period.
06
Dec
Asda’s Focuses on Extra Special Cheese in new Christmas advert
Heart of the cheddar country gives beautiful backdrop and authenticity to Asda TV ad
6th December 2010: The third installment of Asda’s Extra Special Christmas TV campaign breaks on 6th December, this time featuring Somerset Vintage Cheddar made by Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor.
24
Nov
World's most travelled man travels 1,714 miles for Wyke Farms cheddar
November 23rd 2010: Fred Finn, the worlds most travelled man, made a special journey today to Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor. The reason for his trip was to collect some of his favourite cheese and meet the Wyke Farms team in person. Fred has been a Wyke Farms fan for over 20 years.
Fred Finn has travelled 15 million miles and had 718 flights in Concorde - he is officially the worlds most travelled person and in the Guinness World of Records. Fred now lives in the Ukraine and while in the UK this week he took the opportunity to visit Bruton based Wyke Farms to pick up some of his favourite cheddar.
18
Nov
Wyke Farms achieve further listings with Waitrose
Waitrose customers develop a taste for Wyke Farms Cheddars
November 18th 2010: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today announce that two additional SKU’s will be available in Waitrose from 24th November 2010.
Waitrose will be adding the ‘Simply Gorgeous Vintage’ to their existing core products from Wyke Farms, these being ‘Rich & Creamy Mature’ and ‘Just Delicious Extra Mature’. In addition, the newly updated Super Light will also be added to the range.
This means that Waitrose will be stocking the four products, all in the fresh new packaging design recently applied to the entire range of stay fresh zip packs. The updated designs better reflect the unique provenance position of the brand.
20
Oct
2010 West Country Dairy Award Winners Announced
Wyke Farms Contributes to Scholarship Fund to Encourage New Dairy Industry Talent
Somerset – October 21st 2010 – The West Country’s 2010 ‘Scholar of the Year’ has been announced as James Gay, from West Harptree, Bristol. And the winner of the ‘Wyke Farms Award’ is Jack Munday from Town Barton, Sandford, Crediton, Devon. Twenty-year old Jack is studying for a degree in Agricultural Business Management at the University of Reading and is actively involved with the family farm. He will receive a cash payment to help him start his career in the Dairy Industry. The finalists were selected from 30 applicants in the four counties.
20
Sep
Wyke Farms introduce Super Light, the new name for Leskol and give core Cheddar range a facelift
Europe’s favourite healthier cheddar is re branded as Wyke Farms cheddar gets stylish packaging update
Somerset, UK - 20th September 2010: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have announced the new name for Leskol, their half fat Cheddar brand; Super Light has been rebranded to better reflect the unique attributes of the cheese. At the same time, Wyke Farms have unveiled a fresh new packaging design update for their entire range. The updated designs show the cow and tree images printed in gloss, making them more visible to reinforce the brands message of provenance.
17
Sep
Frome show brings more gold awards for Bruton based Wyke Farms
Somerset, UK – 17th September 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of numerous accolades at this years Frome Show, adding to this years fast growing collection of gold awards.
The Bruton based company were announced as champion of the ‘Best Open Cheddar’ category and gold winners of the ‘Low Fat’ and ‘Householders Choice’ categories. In addition Wyke Farms were also awarded silver and gold in the ‘Vintage Cheddar category.
18
Aug
Top of the Class for Wyke Farms Cheddar as Unprecedented County Show Success Continues
Somerset-based cheddar receive recognition for all varieties of their cheddar at The Mid-Somerset Show
Somerset, UK – 19th August 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of numerous accolades at this years Mid-Somerset Show. The Bruton based company were announced as winners of two of the main awards form the show; both the ‘Kenneth Hill Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Reserve Champion Cheese’ and the ‘Reg Dyke Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup for the overall Winner of County Classes’ was awarded to Wyke Farms.
In addition, Wyke Farms were also announced as best in class in the Mild, Mature and Extra Mature Cheddar classes, as well as the ‘Householders Choice’ and the ‘Single Organic’ cheese classes. Click here for a full list of winners.
21
Jul
Gold, Silver and Bronze for Wyke Farms Cheddar As County Show Success Continues
Somerset-based cheddar maker takes numerous awards at The Royal Welsh Show
Somerset, UK – July 21st 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of numerous accolades at this years Royal Welsh Show. The Somerset based company were awarded with ‘Gold’ awards in the Mild Cheddar and the Red Leicester categories, ‘Silver’ for their Village Oak Cheddar in the ‘Export Class’ and both the salted and unsalted Farmhouse Butter. Bronze was also awarded to Wyke Farms Vintage Cheddar in the Taste and Consumer Appeal category, the Vegetarian and the Double Gloucester categories.
