Cherry Trees is the proud recipient of a one-off case of six bottles of Silent Pool Gin, donated and presented to us following a royal visit to the Surrey Hills distillery by HRH The Countess of Wessex.

The visit which took place Thursday 28^th February saw a personally invited guest list attend the royal opening of the new Silent Pool Distillery, with representatives from Cherry Trees in attendance.

On arrival, Her Royal Highness was introduced to The Worshipful The Mayor of Guildford Cllr Mike Parsons and the Mayoress and guests before being shown around the distillery. The Countess had the opportunity to mix some of the natural ingredients for the botanical gin, before being shown the Silent Pool itself – famed for its setting, pure and turquoise water.

A tour of the new distillery gave her the chance along with Silent Pool staff to assist with placing seven bottles onto the bottling line, fill each with gin and then watch them smoothly reach the end of the line for packing. She packed up six that she had personally bottled for Cherry Trees to take away for use in fundraising efforts across 2019.

Managing Director Ian McCulloch has supported many charities in the past and thanks to the popularity and now notoriety of Silent Pool gin, he is inundated with requests from fundraisers and charities looking for donations. However Cherry Trees was chosen to attend and receive The Countess of Wessex’s box of gin because he felt; ‘On this occasion it’s the first stop. I said to my team, that’s the one if we are going to do anything, it’s that one. We know that Cherry Trees is all about what we look for when agreeing to help a charity. My criteria a truly local charity, one which supports children and one which genuinely relies on donations and for those reasons it had to come to you.’

The Countess was reported to of described the bottling lines as ‘mesmerizing’, and gave a happy cheers to the guests raising her gin glass to all.

Debbie Boulter and Anna Reid enjoy a moment to meet HRH and sample the gin on location. 

The case of gin will be auctioned off later this year, raising money for Cherry Trees. 

All images copyright Jake Darling Photography 

Community Fundraiser for Cherry Trees Debbie Boulter was able to meet and talk to The Countess of Wessex for several minutes, enjoying a gin together in the iconic Copa gin glasses furnished with chunky citrus peel. She was interested to learn about how Cherry Trees offers respite for children with disabilities and learning difficulties, why the charity is here and Debbie’s work out in the community to educate school children on life with disabilities and inclusion projects for those unfamiliar with disability.

‘She remembered her last visit to the grand opening of our ‘Upstairs Appeal’, which was several years ago. When we discussed the lack of funding for children with disabilities she was very sympathetic and had a good understanding of the pitfalls. We both laughed at just how moreish the gin was and she looked happy when presented with a gin gift set from the distillers. This was a tremendous boost for a focus on Cherry Trees and I felt honoured to be given the opportunity to receive the case we now have, a wonderful auction item. My son was very proud when I got in and told him about work that day!’

Known for their recognisable turquoise bottle, refreshing and aromatic flavours and now international reputation Silent Pool Gin is sold in over 32 countries world-wide, has supplied Oscar parties and is a preferred choice of gin for many, proudly produced in the heart of the Surrey Hills.