RICHARD Tomkinson, owner of Rosebank Vineyard, Fernhill Heath, was our speaker for the September meeting.

As a young man he chose to work in a bank, although his father and grandfather had careers in the Royal Navy. After retiring from the bank in 2003 he approached the farmer whose land adjoined his garden to buy two-and-a-quarter acres of land.

This was agreed upon, then a decision had to be made to what should be grown there. It was a south-facing bank, so possibly a good place to grow vines. He researched the propagation of vines and decided to start with a crop of 50. He has now increased the number of vines and uses the Scot Henry trellis system, which helps to prevent the common disease of mildew. The grapes are grown to a waist high height, which makes them easier to pick.

Grapes are harvested during October, sent away to be processed, with the wine coming back in May the following year ready for sale in July.

We are hoping to visit the vineyard next year.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday at the Young People’s Leisure Club, Droitwich Road, Worcester, at 7.45pm. Brian Askew is to speak on the history of acupuncture.