The Three Counties Cider & Perry Association has announced the entry deadline for this year’s Jean Nowell Bursary.
The bursary was launched in 2020 to provide opportunities for people to be able to access a small amount of funding to support their progress, education, and development. In fact, four bursaries are available each year, worth up to £250.
The bursary is named after a pioneering craft cider maker and artist, who died in 2017 and who taught and influenced a generation.
Jean’s cidermaking adventures began when she retired to Lyne Down Farm, Herefordshire, in 1984, and restored old equipment found there. She used traditional apple and pear varieties discovered in her orchards.
Jean set up the Putley Big Apple cider trials for makers, and was a key member of what is now the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association. Her son, Max, said: “She never stopped working for the good of the craft cider world as a whole.” Many respected makers today were mentored by her, and it is in this spirit of support that the TCCPA set up a bursary in her honour.
Albert Johnson, chair of the Association in 2024 and 2025, said: “The Three Counties Cider & Perry Association is, first and foremost, an association of cidermakers who come together to support and encourage each other and share knowledge and ambition that strengthens us as individuals and a collective.
“The Jean Nowell Bursary is a valued and significant part of our operations that supports the growth of independent craft
cidermaking.”
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The deadline for bursary applications will be 1st March, and successful applicants will be announced at this year’s CraftCon, held on 12th and 13th March at Somerset Country Cricket Club, Taunton.
Applications are not limited by age or experience, although preference will be given to novice commercial cider makers and projects where the bursary is being used to fund the applicant’s personal or business development. This could be through education, a study visit, or to help fund a harvest placement, for example.
A 2025 bursary recipient, Phil Kester of 99PINES Perry, in Gloucestershire, said: “The bursary has made a huge difference to 99PINES and our work at the National Perry Centre, at Hartpury. It has enabled us both to significantly improve our event sales and bulk storage capacity.
“With the bursary amount we purchased a new shelf cooler system, which can be both used at the Orchard Centre bar, as well as external events. We were chuffed to be able to use it at the Malvern Autumn show last year!”
To apply for a bursary, read the The Jean Nowell Bursary Guidelines and download and return the application form.
