Cobrey Farms, M&S asparagus supplier up for Community Award

Cobrey Farm, near Ross-on-Wye, has been nominated for the 2025 awards, intended to shine a light on incredible volunteers, businesses, and groups.

Father and son, John and Chris Chinn, starred in a Marks and Spencer's TV advert last year, as part of the supermarket's Farm to Foodhall campaign.

The family-owned business has worked with the retailer for more than 15 years and has become famous for its asparagus.

Farming within the family can be traced back to 1925, when Wilfred Chinn took on the tenancy of just 125 acres from Guy’s Hospital.

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Wilfred’s son, Bill, managed the farm for over 18 years before his son John returned home from university to build the business we know today.

Farming over 3,000 acres in the Wye Valley, they also produce "the highest quality" blueberries, rhubarb, potatoes and green beans.

Chris Chinn joined the family business in 2007.  (Image: M&S) Chris Chinn appeared alongside celebrity Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge, in the 2024 advert, which saw Kerridge visit the retailer’s select farms across the UK to tell the stories behind a range of products.

Nominations for the Hereford Times Community Awards will be open until Sunday, August 24.

Award categories include; Best Community Project or Group, Environmental Project of the Year, Sports Team, Club or Personality of the Year, Young Person of the Year, Diversity in the Community Award, GP Practice of the Year, and Farmer or Small Holder of the Year.

You can place your nomination for the awards here: https://www.herefordtimes.com/awards/community-awards/