triangleleft Nearby is the Pitmaston Pine
Apple, a tiny yellow russet
barely the size of a golf ball, first
cultivated in Hereford in 1785
and rich with a pineapple-like
flavour. Then there’s a tasty dull
red called the Court Pendu Plat,
recorded in France in 1613 but
possibly dating back 2,000 years.
Just down the path is Pig
Aderyn, another rare Welsh
apple, and Ellison’s Orange, a
relative newcomer just a century Fit for a king The Herefordshire Pomeroy,or King’sApple (above left) and the ultimate in rare apples – the Brith Mawr –
old whose taste has delicate
both to be found on Mike Porter’s midWales orchard (below).Many rare varieties of apple along theWelsh Border make
hints of liquorice.
superlative ciders and juices,with one such producer,Henry May (far right) going beyond just cider with plans for a
But these are just some of the
museum,partnerships and tree sponsorship
varieties in Mike’s fascinating
collection. A member of the to survive, and the rare varieties Recently many traditional chairman of the Gloucestershire
Marcher Apple Network – a face extinction. Some even orchards, a good number filled Orchard Group. The GOG were
charity trying to protect and believe the future of Britian’s with these old varieties, were launched in 2001 by the local
promote interest in old apple National Fruit Collection in Kent given ‘priority status’ and county council who recognized
varieties and traditional is in doubt. The Brogdale recognised as habitats for their historical apple heritage was
orchards along the Welsh Border Horticultural Trust was home to endangered wildlife, protecting being wiped out, and within five
– he and his colleagues see the the largest collection of varieties them from development. Last years the group grew to over 100.
dangers facing the future of of fruit trees in the world, autumn, Dave Kasper’s orchard Dave’s orchard is one of the
these apples. Since the Second including over 2,300 different near Gloucester was visited by most impressive, and the engine
World War, well over two thirds varieties of apple. And despite a the government’s biodiversity behind Day’s Cottage Juices and
of Britain’s orchards have recent sponsorship deal with minister who promised increased Ciders. Thirty tons of this fruit
disappeared. Urban sprawl and Tesco, who plan to double the protection for Britain’s more make 20,000 litres of juice. And it
overdevelopment have taken amount of English apples it endangered plants and animals. sells. In fact it’s a hot commodity
their toll on what was once a sells, within three years, Mike Dave welcomes the attention, in Gloucestershire. During harvest
common sight on the landscape. remains sceptical. but he has his doubts whether time, he employs six people who
But more alarming still is the “The government keeps the plans can work. work tirelessly, picking and
fact that three quarters of all chipping away at Brogdale,” he “There’s got to be more pressing, barrelling and bottling,
apples now sold in Britain are explains. “The survival of our stringent legislation,” he insists, then selling litre after litre of juices
imported. With those Galas, apples might just be left to “and there’s got to be action.” and ciders at farmers’ markets in
Grannies and Pink Ladies from charitable groups like us.” Many local authorities don’t know Stroud and Bristol.
America and New Zealand all so where old orchards are, so they But if it isn’t global competition
shiny, crisp, juicy and boringly The core issue won’t be able to protect them.” that’ll worry Dave, it’s global
uniform for the consumer, the Some government institutions A language teacher turned warming and extreme weather
Great British Apple is struggling are trying to reach out, however. apple entrepreneur, Dave is also changes. The past two wet
summers have certainly given
him a scare.
“The floods, the lack of
sunshine – more of that and
the trees will just say, ‘sod it.
I’m not going to grow here
anymore,’” he fears. “Their roots
die and with the first winter
winds, they’ll blow over. It feels
like each year they’re just getting
through by the skin of their teeth.”
For now, though, a walk
through Dave’s special ‘museum
orchard’ is like coming across a
Noah’s Ark of fruit. Two of each
of Gloucestershire’s 100 or so
available varieties grow here,
within earshot of the busy M5.
They’re young trees, and haven’t
had time to branch out. So Dave
goes out regularly to check each
one for signs of disease or insect
Country & Border Life
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