Herefordshire has long been a county where hops are grown. However, the old traditions of cultivating this essential ingredient in beer making have given way to more modern methods. Tall hop kilns no longer feature. Nor are migrant workers from cities employed on a seasonal basis. Where stilts were once used to allow the workers to reach the plants that grew up tall poles and strings, today low-growing plants that grow hedge-like are more easily harvested. One tradition that hasn't been lost, however, is the decoration of churches in hop growing areas with the leaves and flowers of the hops. The dried examples in the photograph were displayed round the chancel arch at St Peter, Dormington.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Nikon Z 5
