Grape Pickers 2024 Staff (Boxley)

Grape Pickers needed for the 2024 harvest season. 
Approx. start date is mid to late Sept 2024 - the harvest will continue for approx. 3-4 weeks and is weather permitting. 
 
Location: Boxley, Kent (located on the outskirts of Maidstone, Kent)
 
Own transport required due to the vineyards rural location and not being located on any public transport routes.
 
In extreme weather conditions or days of constant rain fall scheduled the harvest will be called off and will continue the following day - therefore some flexibility is required. 
 
Hourly Rate: £12.82 per hour (Hourly rate is inclusive of holiday pay) 
NO EXPERIENCE NECCESSARY
 
Hours are 8am till 4.30pm ish, Monday to Saturday for approx. 3-4 weeks work
 
Harvest days are predominantly Monday through till Saturday, however they will require the flexibility for people to work on Sundays if the weather has impacted the picking days during the week. They have a large quota of grapes to be picked in a short period of time before the cold nights and wet weather arrive, which will massively decrease the quality of the grapes, therefore its quite literally all hands on deck.   
 
Must be able to commit to the full harvest period, sadly we are unable to offer part time or reduced hours.
 
The 2024 harvest is due to start mid to late September 2024 – date to be confirmed nearer the time as this very much depends on how quickly the grapes ripen over the summer months, therefore a level of flexibility is required.
 
The Role
No experience necessary – this role will involve walking down the vines working as part of a team, snipping off bunches of grapes using the snippers supplied and placing the bunches into the buckets provided, once your bucket is full someone will come along empty your bucket into the tractor trailer and provide you with an empty one. This role involves a lot of walking each day and working in most weather conditions, therefore a waterproof jacket is essential to have to hand, along with wellies and/or comfortable hardy waterproof walking boots. This role would suit someone who is physically fit and able, as you will be on your feet for most the day and standing for long periods of time. Working as part of the annual harvest team is great fun, we have many people returning to work the harvest year upon year, of course it is fab to support your local vineyard with their harvest season, but it is also a great opportunity to meet new people from the local community, it’s also fab for exercise and for getting your daily step count in. It is also absolutely brilliant for mental health and wellbeing, as who doesn’t love working submerged by the most breath-taking of views and surroundings!  
 
Things to take with you
Please ensure you have enough food and drink for the whole day, there are not any local shops nearby so please arrive with plenty of food and a refillable water bottle, there will be water stations on site where you can refill your bottles throughout the day.
Please ensure you have comfortable hardy waterproof footwear (ideally not trainers unless you’re a fan of soggy feet!), we would recommend wellies and a pair of waterproof walking boots to change into later in the day, for when the dew has evaporated.
It’s best to wear layers of clothing, it can be rather chilly first thing but it soon warms up, so it’s better to have a few layers of clothing that you can take off as the day gets warmer.
Take a couple of spare pairs of socks with you, these are always handy to have as no one likes soggy feet!
Take a pair of thin nylon gardening gloves with you.
Waterproofs are a must – rain jacket at the very least or the full all in one waterproof kit, it’s up to you. As mentioned above this role is weather permitting, therefore if it is torrential rain please check your emails before leaving your home, as in these conditions they may delay the start time on those particular days or if its looking to be continuous rain they will cancel the harvest until the following day.
 
Wages will be paid in a lump sum at the end of the harvest, unless otherwise discussed.
 
Places are limited, so if you would like to reserve your place on the 2024 harvest, we would encourage you to get in contact asap to avoid disappointment.
 
Should you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact either myself or Sharon on (phone number removed)