Award-winning Cricketer Farm launches new Nether Stowey Reserve
25th March 2010
Somerset based award-winning cheesemaker Cricketer
Farm, has launched its first ever branded Cheddar cheese, Nether Stowey
Reserve; specially selected for its delicious smooth, rich, mature flavour. Nether Stowey, a village on the edge of the
Quantock Hills, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), has been
the home of Cricketer Farm since the dairy was founded. The new Nether Stowey Reserve has been made
to a traditional recipe which has been passed down through generations of
master cheesemakers, using milk sourced from dairy herds that graze on the lush
pastures surrounding the village and neighbouring countryside. 
“We are very excited about the launch of our new Nether Stowey Reserve. We’ve been making cheese for over 60 years and this is the first time that our new brand will appear on shelf. Our new packs picture our cheesemakers, including three brothers from the Villis family, who this year celebrate their 100th year of cheesemaking, a real milestone for both the family and Cricketer. The Villis brothers have played an invaluable part in the success and continued growth of Cricketer and we are incredibly proud and pleased that they have agreed to be pictured on our new packs,” said Jo Carter from Cricketer Farm.
Anthony, Richard and Nigel Villis, live and work in the Somerset village of Nether Stowey and have been making cheese at Cricketer since 1970. Head Cheesemaker Anthony Villis started working for Cricketer in December 1970 and was joined by his brother Richard (now Cheese Production Manager) in July 1975. Nine years later, in May 1984, their brother Nigel (now Senior Cheesemaker) started cheesemaking and between them they have now completed 100 years at Cricketer.
Cricketer Farm has achieved hundreds of awards for its cheeses during this time and this year has launched the Villis Family Trophy in celebration of the achievements of Anthony, Richard and Nigel. The Trophy will be one of the awards presented at this year’s National cheese awards at the renowned Royal Bath & West Show, held from the 2nd to 5th June, for the best traditional (bandage wrapped) cheese and the Villis brothers have been invited to take part in the judging.
Jo continued: “the cheesemaking skill and expertise of Anthony, Richard and Nigel is second to none and we are delighted that they will be involved in the judging at this year’s Bath & West. Anthony’s son Patrick started cheesemaking with us in 1988 so we hope that the Villis family’s involvement at Cricketer continues for many more years to come!”
