Grower Profile: Humphrey & Tom Hulme, AC Hulme & Sons – Great Pedding Farm

Humphrey & Tom Hulme

AC Hulme & Sons – Great Pedding Farm

Wingham, Kent

In 1946, Arthur Cecil Hulme moved his family from Lancashire in the northwest of England to the county of Kent in the far southeast. The train took them as far as the railway station in Addisham, where they walked the remaining two miles to their new farm in Wingham … along with all their livestock that had travelled with them the entire way on the train.

Great Pedding Farm started out as 195 acres before expanding over the decades, producing fruit, sheep, cattle, potatoes, and – of course – hops.

AC Hulme & Sons was formed in 1969 and continues today under the leadership of Humphrey Hulme and his nephew Tom. Great Pedding has a history of excellent yields of great quality hops, with East Kent Goldings being a particular favorite.

“Hops,” says Humphrey, “are a continuous challenge and must be farmed with care and great attention.”

Total acreage:          

50 acres of hops in a 4,000 acre group of farms

Varieties grown:      
East Kent Goldings, Challenger and Northdown

Machinery/facilities:

Ambient storage in an 1850’s Oast House, 4 bine pullers, an English Bruff hop picking machine, 8 dryers using twin and single levels

Farm certifications:            
Assured Produce (Red Tractor) and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming)

Industry & trade memberships:
Wealden Hops Ltd, National Farmers Union (NFU)