Chris Foss, Head of Wine, Plumpton College

Plumpton College Wine Centre

The Wine Centre at Plumpton College in East Sussex has come along way from humble beginnings in a disused chicken shed and wine fermenting in demijohns from Boots. Today it ranks amongst the top wine courses in Europe and is the only one where English is the first language.

Chris Foss in the modern winery at Plumpton College

Students and lecturers have the vision and determination of Chris Foss to thank for creating the operation which exists today. Chris was bought up in France on a vineyard in Bordeaux owned by his mother’s family. At university Chris studied microbiology and later qualified as a teacher - after university Chris ran the family vineyard for 6 years, during which time he studied wine making and worked worked in vineyards and wineries in Sauternes (Chateau d’Yquem) and St Emilion, becoming Winemaker for the GFA Leclerc vineyard group. 

Chris speaks fluent French which was distinct advantage in gaining practical experience. In 1988 Chris started the first courses in Wine Production at Plumpton College after three years teaching in secondary education. During the early days the Wine Department only had two rows of vines, now Plumpton boasts a 16 acre vineyard locally, another a few miles to the north in Scaynes Hill and a small research vineyard inside the college grounds.

Since Chris established the Plumpton College Wine Centre it has become a centre of excellence for cool climate wine production and is recognised throughout Europe and the rest of the world for its’ work including establishment of the first dedicated Viticulture and Oenology Research Centre in the UK. Expansion of The Wine Department has enabled the team to develop postgraduate provision in wine and undertake research, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Brighton, whilst still delivering outstanding education for the students. Research is an important problem solving tool for the expanding English & Welsh wine industries and of international importance for cool climate wine production.

Chris Foss in the Wine Department vineyard at Ditchling.

Chris leads a talented team of international staff delivering courses to around 130 full-time students plus part time and specialist courses each year. In September 2014 Plumpton started the UK’s first MSc course in Viticulture and Oenology, alongside existing popular undergraduate degrees.
Plumpton also offers short and intensive courses for small growers and vineyard employees, tailor-made events and courses for specific business requirements and the full range of Wine & Spirit Education Trust Courses.

Over 500 people a year attend events around England & Wales run by the Department's training arm including  short courses, masterclasses, mentoring, sustainability guidelines, and an on-line information resource at www.wineskills.co.uk

Chris takes great pride in the fact that “Our courses are unique, being the only English language undergraduate and post graduate viticulture and wine courses taught in Europe”.

Plumpton graduates now work all over the world including Australia, Burgundy, England (naturally), California, Canada, Chile, Languedob-Roussillon, New Zealand, Portugal, & Languedob-Roussillon. Late in 2015 Plumpton graduate Steve Farquharson visited with some of his Wooing Tree wines for students to taste - coincidentally the visit from New Zealand coincided with the Rugby World Cup!

Steve Farquharson of Wooing Tree Vineyard in New Zealand 

Wines produced by The Wine Department include Plumpton Estate Cloudy Ridge Red & plus sparkling The Dean Brut NV & The Dean Blush NV, all stocked by the English supermarket Waitrose http://www.waitrosecellar.com/search/plumpton+estate

As Chair of South East Vineyards Association Chris is heavily involved in organising the 2016 ICCWS International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in Brighton after visiting Tasmania in 2012 as part of the successful small delegation of Brits who pitched for the privilege of hosting the prestigious event.

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About the author:
I'm a commercial photographer based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex and have worked with Plumpton College since the 2001 Foot & Mouth Crisis where I created a calendar to raise funds for the college Rag Week. I created the Board Room portrait of past Principle John Brookham. I’ve lived and worked in Sussex all my life and am passionate about the countryside and rural economy. In 2008 I founded Friends of Wolstonbury www.wolstonbury.com a conservation group who maintain a very special part of the South Downs National Park alongside the National Trust.

Plumpton Wine Department Students get into the spirit, or should that wine for the
2001 (Foot & Mouth) Rag Week Calendar.

I have a blog celebrating the Sussex countryside & rural economy www.sussex-photographer.blogspot.co.uk

For commissions and assignments I may be contacted by email ian@packshots.biz or phone +44 (0) 7710 814665 I work from from a studio or on location, whatever is best suited to each particular clients needs.

Rural Photography Studio

Who needs a studio when there's a convenient barn nearby!

I love creating images on location as much as I do in the studio. This is a frame from a recent test shoot using a new light modifier - I'll not go into detail other than this is something I do for a number of photography lighting businesses as I've been a professional since the early 1980s.

If you need people shots, head shots, pack shots and product photography for your business do give me a call or email, details at http://www.packshots.biz/contact/index.htm

I'm based in central Sussex, Burgess Hill to be precise and available throughout Sussex, southern and south east England. I do travel further afield, preferably somewhere with an average temperature above 18ºC!

I've included this shot so you can see how an experienced and trained eye can transform what was a mundane and messy area.

Wishing you all well and success with your preparations for the Christmas Season:)

Tom Walker, Artist

"A little goes a long way" was Tom's response to my question regarding who many pastels he uses in a year!

As my project photographing land-based businesses continues, every now and again there are interesting spin-offs. The artist Tom Walker is one such spin-off. Whilst photographing Monday Group, a gentlemen appeared who I immediately thought, "I need to photograph this man".

Tom Walker in his Sussex Studio

I spoke with a local contact who made the introduction and these images are the result of our first meeting - Tom is a thoughtful man who loves the countryside and is passionate about snooker. In 2009 he completed a series of works inspired by his love of snooker "Snooker, In The Frame" which can be seen at his website along with BBC interviews with Tom at the Snooker World Championships from 2007-2009.

Tom, thank you for your time, it's certainly a privilege to photograph you.

For anyone interested in how I lit these images, please visit my lighting blog Pack's Hacks.

Poppies in Bloom in November

On my way back to the studio from Brighton earlier today and surprised to see poppies peeping through the stubble on the west side of Beacon Road near Falmer. All I had with me was my trusty Fujifilm X30 snap cam & my iPhone for the background atmos track.

There will be many who have lost friends and loved ones in conflicts and wars over the years - We Will Remember Them.

Wooing Tree NZ Otago Winemaker Visits Sussex

Steve Farquharson in the winery at Plumpton College

Steve Farquharson from Wooing Tree Vineyard recently visited the Wine Centre at Plumpton College for a tasting during his trip to Europe selling his fine wines from the Central Otago Region in the New Zealand South Island - strangely the trip coincided with the Rugby World Cup - no wonder he has something to smile about with the All Blacks beating the Wallabies in the final at Twickenham on 31 October 2105.

Steve graduated with a viticulture, winemaking, the wine trade and WSET Diploma in Wine from Plumpton College in the early 2004 after deciding that a career in IT support for a bank call centre wasn't for him. Wooing Tree is a true family business with Steve and his wife Jane who own the business and his sister Jane looking after the cellar door and brother-in-law Geoff the vineyard.

Wooing Tree wines are available in UK (link above). Read more about the Wooing Tree story on their website www.wooingtree.co.nz

Out and about in Sussex - Autumn Fog

Whilst the dense fog maybe causing travel troubles, it certainly makes beautiful Sussex landscapes - a quick frame from beside the road close to Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way.

PRESS RELEASE - Monday Group & Southbank Ramblers

This press release follows on from images I created recently of Harold Rowling MBE and the stiles funded by Southbank Ramblers.

For immediate use - Sunday, 18 October 2015

Monday Group - Rights of Way Volunteers

London based Southbank Ramblers Fund Sussex Stiles

Monday Group are volunteer group based in Ditchling, East Sussex who maintain public rights of way and design, build and install stiles, bridges and steps allowing walkers to enjoy the beautiful Sussex countryside. The group is now funded by donations from local organisations and private individuals, among them farmers and landowners who have come to respect its work. It also raises its own funds by the sale of bird boxes, wildlife and insect habitats, coffee mornings, jumble sales etc.

Southbank Ramblers come mainly from the London Boroughs of Southwark & Lambeth and regularly walk throughout Sussex. 

"Often fed up with coming across stiles that are broken and often difficult to climb over, we came across some installed by the Monday Group. They are wonderful !  We had some spare money so decided to fund some stiles in an area that we love to walk in. They are a great design and they seem lovingly made with the initials of the maker on them. The Group is a inspiration and really contributes to the enjoyment of the countryside”, says Sue Ellenby, Chair of Southbank Ramblers.

During 2015 the group funded £800.00 for the construction of five stiles on public footpaths between Plumpton & East Chiltington after seeing other stiles installed by Monday Group and contacting the group via their website www.mondaygroup.org

In torrential rain and strong wind on 5th October a group from Southbank Ramblers walked from Plumpton Station to Lewes via a number of the stiles they funded, they stopped for a brief photo call with local photographer Ian Pack images below.



Stiles funded by Southbank Walkers are installed at the following locations:

Footpath Plumpton 13A at TQ 362 162
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 379 162
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 380 162
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 381 161
South Bank Ramblers' stile to be installed after discussion with the landowner:
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 382 160

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MEDIA CONTACTS
www.mondaygroup.org

Media contact:
Jim Edwards, Monday Group, jim.edmail@btinternet.com 07711 163043

www.southbankramblers.org.uk
Sue Ellenby, Chair, Southbank Ramblers, ellenbysue@btinternet.com 07834 311422

Editors Notes
Monday Group was founded in 1962 by Harold Rowling MBE. 

During WW2, under the Defence of the Realm Act, the South Downs were firstly cultivated to help the war effort,  then requisitioned by the armed forces as gunnery ranges, the targets, from both land and sea, being the farm buildings. Public access was naturally forbidden but as up to 15 years after the war the footpaths and rights-of-way onto the Downs had still not been re-opened, partly because farmers and other landowners have never liked people tramping across their land but also because the Downs were riddled with unexploded ordnance.

Harold and Pam Rowling had met in 1939 in Lewes when Harold’s London school had been moved to Sussex. After the war and the end of his studies in London as an engineer, Harold returned to the girl and the countryside he loved and they settled in the house Harold designed, in Westmeston in 1953.

One day, Pam said: “Harold, I want to take the dogs for walks on the Downs but all the ways up are still blocked. You’ve got to do something about it.” From that day onward, Harold began to do that something!

Bomb clearance and disposal on the Downs began around 1960.
Harold alone and then with local helpers began to identify and clear footpaths that had been choked by brambles, blackthorn and barbed wire for many years. The first of these was the Westmeston Bostal.

Sometime in the 1970s, Reg Adsett moved into the district, and not only became the village postman but also a pillar of the Monday Group. It was not until1982, when Harold retired from full-time employment himself, and Mondays, when Reg had less postal work to do, replaced Sundays, that the Monday Group proper came into being.

Its progress ever since, within an approximate 5-mile radius of Ditchling, has been remarkable. All known footpaths have been opened, cleared, maintained and furnished where necessary with stiles, causeways, bridges, steps and sign-posts which are all 


regularly kept in safe, usable condition for walkers of all ages. At least 1,000 stiles* alone have been built and installed by the Monday Group during the last 54 years. All its structures are built of locally-sourced green oak for strength and long life.

As well as creating its own structures - the majority of them designed by Harold and modified and refined over the years – the Monday Group will repair and maintain, or replace any footpath structure in need of attention, made by others.

The current total voluntary workforce numbers about 35, mostly retired men and women, who not only enjoy participating in a very worthwhile enterprise but also the company and interaction with others as they work, in beautiful surroundings, in all weathers.

The group is now funded by donations from local organisations and private individuals, among them farmers and landowners who have come to respect its work. It also raises its own funds by the sale of bird boxes, wildlife and insect habitats, coffee mornings, jumble sales etc.

* The number of structures, of all kinds, and the area covered in over half a century of work, would be hard indeed to estimate, so the approximate number of stiles must serve to suggest that the total is very considerable.

Click on image to view larger and download for reproduction - images are sRGB, 1800x 1200pixels (6"x4" 300dpi):

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Officers of South Bank Ramblers admiring one of the stiles...in the rain!

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South Bank Ramblers' Committee.. soaked but happy to meet Harold and try out one of the stiles.

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Sue Ellenby (Chair) & Dudley Cloake of Southbank Rambers with one of the stiles funded by Southbank Ramblers

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Harold Rowling MBE, Founder of Monday Group with one of the stiles funder by Southbank Ramblers

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Harold Rowling MBE, Founder of Monday Group outside the Ditchling workshop



Queries and questions regarding images, image use and licensing should be directed to the copyright owner Ian Pack 07710 814665 ianpack@gmail.com All image remain the property of the copyright owner Ian Pack. Monday Group & Southbank Ramblers are granted license to distribute the images shown in this press release to promote Monday Group and/or Southbank Ramblers. 

Image use license
The images shown above maybe be used by Monday Group and Southbank Ramblers to promote the interests of each group individually or jointly. The images are not to be loaned or resold or lodged with or uploaded to any photograph image library or agency. Use by The Argus and Newsquest Media Group is specifically prohibited.