Silver-Haired Pickers Give Suffolk Orchard a Golden Season

A Suffolk farm has found an unexpected workforce of retirees swapping the traditional notion of a laid-back retirement for the physical demands of apple picking.

Moat Farm, in Woodbridge, employs around 30 fruit pickers during the harvest season – with 25 of them aged over 66. Many live on-site in caravans or campervans for the duration, embracing both the work and the community spirit.

Farm owner Henry Dobell praised their dedication: "They may not be the quickest pickers in the world, but they pick with care and love, so our return of poor quality fruit is really low. We have a reasonably short day, because I don't want to break them, and there is a fantastic camaraderie and friendship."

Working days typically run from 09:00 to 15:00, after which the group relaxes together. "We have a quick drink afterwards and then we go our separate ways to make our meals," explained Hazel Davis, 77, from Yorkshire.

Davis, who works alongside her husband Roderick, 79, said the experience had been rewarding: "We have really enjoyed it – we are out in the fresh air, picking apples, which are good for you, it is good for our mental health, and we are experiencing something different. The people have made us feel very welcome, so give it a go, I very highly recommend it."

Roderick added with a smile: "My wife is better at picking apples, but I am trying hard. There are quite a lot of people who are retired and want something to do and get out, so it is about doing something different rather than being sat at home."

The appeal extends beyond retirees. Allison Williams, 58, from London, also joined the team this year: "I find it very therapeutic, and picking the apples and being out in the fresh air helps my mental health. It is hard work, very hard work, but it is great – everyone gets on and it is really nice."

Dobell, who has run the farm for 20 years, said the support has been particularly valuable during what has been an excellent season. "Our customers are great, local trade is lovely and still doing well, and for fruit growers, it has been very good," he noted. "The fruit has loved it and we've had a really, really good crop – and it is eating really well."

Source: BBC News