TENBURY’s biggest employer has thrown a celebration party.

Seventy Orchard Valley Foods staff members and 30 invited guests attended an afternoon tea party to celebrate the presentation of its Queen’s Award for Enterprise by the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lt Col Patrick Holcroft.

Business founders Mike and Jackie Forrester attended a reception at Buckingham Palace in July along with other award recipients.

The celebration at Orchard Valley Foods’ headquarters in Burford, near Tenbury was an opportunity to involve the whole team which has contributed to the success of the firm, particularly in the field of overseas trade.

Before the reception and presentation, Patrick Holcroft had a site tour conducted by Managing Director Cherry Blumberg, meeting many members of staff in production, warehousing and office areas.

The Lord-Lieutenant then joined the champagne reception where he met guests from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Shropshire and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chambers of Commerce, the local MP, local councillors and representatives from Tenbury organisations such as the Swimming Pool, Music Festival and Regal Theatre, to which Orchard Valley Foods gives charitable support.

Lt Col Holcroft presented a cut glass bowl and certificate to Cherry Blumberg.

She paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the extended team.

A celebration cake, showcasing part of Orchard Valley Foods extensive range of confections and decorations, was on display and then cut for everyone to have a slice with their afternoon tea.

Orchard Valley Foods has grown from a front room business to employ 70 people, serving a growing export market and it is this that was recognised in the awards.

The company produces and sell ingredients for the baking industry and has a turnover of more than £23million. It has its main offices and production facility in Burford but last year also opened a warehouse in Leominster.

In April, Orchard Valley Foods was announced as a winner of the 2016 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the field of International Trade.

In its award submission, the business demonstrated year on year growth in the export of confections, decorations and inclusions to almost 30 overseas markets, achieved through harnessing a network of specialist distributors to bakery, ice cream, coffee shop and foodservice customers in several countries, as well as extending direct business with global food and confectionery companies initiated in the UK.

But there is a question mark over the future following the vote in June to leave the EU.

Mike Forrester who founded the business has made no secret of his concerns about the Brexit vote that he has will affect the business including future investment plans.

He has described people who voted leave as failing to understand the implications of the decision on business prospects for companies like his own.

Mike Forrester said that the decision has been made against the advice of almost all of the experts.