Creating brighter futures

Welcome to Thatchers Farm

Down on the family farm we are all slightly obsessed perfectionists, making cider with nothing but love. That’s why we don’t just grow 8 types of apple, we grow 458, and turning those juicy apples into a refreshing pint of cider is a craft we’ve have spent four generations perfecting.

As a family company, we’ve have been working in partnership with nature for 120-years. From planting new orchards using regenerative farming methods, to enhancing biodiversity with wildflower areas – or even building a 4m high, 5-star hotel for nature in an acre of wildlife haven, we’re committed to looking after the land around us.

Now, as we enter our fifth generation of cider makers, and with a business firmly rooted in nature and the environment, we’re constantly thinking about future generations. We know that if we want to be here in another 120 years, we need to take care of the environment and our people today.

Looking after the environment

We’ve planted over 158,000 trees since 2010 and will plant 13,000 more next year. We’ve added beehives to every orchard, and with help from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, we’ve made sure our orchards are bee friendly.

Every one of our ciders is made using 100% renewable electricity including power from the 3,500 solar panels on Myrtle Farm. Even the apple left over once the juice is squeezed is turned into green energy or used to feed local cows.

In the mill, new technology has just been installed which captures all the CO2 created in the fermentation process which is then used as bubbles in the cider.

We’re constantly reviewing our packaging too, from being the first to replace plastic rings with sustainably sourced card in 2016, to using lighter cans and saving the equivalent of a whopping 5.9m cans a year. We’ve even changed the way we wash our kegs and fruit, reusing and recycling water to save consumption, and have switched to electric forklifts and LED lights.

We’ve recently opened a new warehouse that is fully automated. That means work can happen in the dark and under one roof, delivering great efficiencies and power savings. It has also reduced vehicles movements.

The next generation

Planning for future sustainability doesn’t stop with the environment. We also need the right people with the right mindsets to ensure we’re here for another 120 years.

It’s why our apprenticeship programme is so important. It’s where we grow the future skills, talent and behaviours that we’ll need as we go forward.

Pairing with Weston College allows us to really focus on local, young talent. It means we can grow young careers alongside the business and the local economy. And as we move into the next generation, with Eleanor Thatcher recently releasing her first cider in Juicy Apple, our new apprentices will grow alongside her too.

Weston College Aims to Support All Students Through Upcoming Changes 

Weston College would like to let all prospective students and their parents/carers know about recent developments regarding qualification reforms that could impact course availability for the academic year starting in September 2025. 

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a review of qualifications, including BTECs and other applied general qualifications, with the goal of enhancing the overall quality of options available to young people and adults. This review may lead to changes in the courses offered from September 2025, and as such, the final list of qualifications may not be confirmed until December 2024. 

What you need to know:

• Course applications: we encourage all prospective students to continue applying for the courses they are interested in. Weston College is closely monitoring the situation and will communicate updates as soon as the review is complete.
• Communication updates: we will keep all students and parents informed of any changes through direct communications, our website, and social media channels. Students who have applied by the review's conclusion will be notified immediately. 
• Impact of the government review: while the review may result in some qualifications no longer being available, Weston College is preparing for all outcomes. We remain committed to offering a range of qualifications that will meet your needs and help you achieve your career goals. 

We understand that this period of uncertainty may cause some disruption, but Weston College is fully prepared to adapt to any changes resulting from the Government’s review. 

We are confident that we will continue to provide students with high-quality qualifications and the right pathways to success, regardless of the outcome. For more detailed information about qualification reforms, please click here. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Weston College is committed to supporting you every step of the way in your educational journey, please do get in touch if you have any further questions, or chat to our School Liaison Team who will be visiting schools throughout the term, or you can pop along to our open events, find out the next date by clicking here.

Our What Next event is back this week (on Wednesday), with a whole host of employers attending. Employers will be sharing career opportunities within their industry and offering guidance on how our attendees can launch their careers.

This event allows attendees to ask questions, build networks, and start discovering career paths that resonate with their aspirations.

This initiative aligns with our Careers Excellence Hubs, which offers learners valuable career-enhancing benefits such as work experience opportunities, direct engagement with employers, and access to career-focused events.

Here’s what some of the employers attending What Next are looking forward to, along with their advice for Weston College students:

Puxton Park: “We are looking forward to having exposure to potential employees for peak seasons. We would advise Weston College students to try all the opportunities you are offered!”

Future Stars Coaching: “We are looking forward to the brilliant opportunity to meet and discuss potential careers in our sector with the next generation. We have benefitted in recent years from these events and can't wait for the next one. We would advise Weston College students to ask questions at What Next, literally anything you are thinking. Talk about progressions and ultimately how these specific companies can help you get to your end goal.”

Thatchers Cider Company: “What Next is the first apprenticeship event of the year, where we always have aspiring conversations with future apprentices and students keen to explore other opportunities. We would advise Weston College students to ask lots of questions to future employers and colleagues, be confident and be yourself.”

Access Your Care: “We can’t wait to show the next generation of social care workers how exciting and rewarding a career in care can be. Keep an open mind, look at what you enjoy and where your skills lie and make your career choices from there.”

Super Culture: “We are working with WECA and Creative Youth Network to run early creatives workshops aimed at young people aged 18-30 as well as paid 6 events-based placements and creative commissions. We advise Weston College students to go for every opportunity they can and develop a wide range of skills.”

Evo: “We are looking forward to engaging with students at What Next and meeting other businesses in our industry to build future collaborations. We would advise Weston College students to have an idea what businesses or future training you may want to see. Prepare some questions you think would really help with you decision process moving forward."

Bristol Airport: “We are looking to showcase the broad range of the opportunities and career pathways at Bristol Airport, whether with Bristol Airport Limited (as the site operator) or with our 50+ Business Partners. We would also like to tell students and young people who are interested in the aviation industry about our upcoming 2024/25 Work Experience Program and apprenticeship opportunities at Bristol Airport. We would suggest to Weston College students to prepare a list of questions that they would like to ask exhibitors, namely what opportunities are available at their company, what career pathways look like, whether there are any pre-requisites or requirements for jobs at that company, whether they need to complete any additional study etc."

Bristol City Robins Foundation: “We are looking forward to engaging with lots of young people and sharing our experience of working within a sports organisation. We would advise Weston College students to make sure you do some research prior to the event and speak to as many providers as you can. You never know where a small conversation can lead to!”

Taylor Wimpey: “We are looking forward to meeting possible future industry professionals. We would advise Weston College students to make sure that you do your research into the career you are interested in.”

Avon and Somerset Police: “We are looking forward to meeting potential future employees at What Next. We would advise students to prepare or think about in advance what you want to get out of the career event. Write down the question you would like to ask. Don't be shy.”

British Army: “We hope this is an opportunity for Weston College students to learn about some of the 76 job roles within the 7 career streams in the British Army, and that your further education can be fully paid for while enjoying an exciting career. If you are unsure of what to do with your life after school, perhaps consider a career in the Armed Forces which will not only give your transferable skills in civilian life, but also a chance to enjoy something different and exciting.”

The Academy of Gymnastics: “We are looking forward to meeting the next generation of hopefully coaches at What Next! We would advise considering careers in something you are interested in and that you enjoy!”

If you haven’t booked your tickets, there is still time! Click here to reserve your space.