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Perry Pear – Blakeney Red
The Blakeney Red Perry Pear is named after the village of Blakeney in the Forest of Dean. Also known as Red Pear, Circus Pear, Painted Lady, Painted Pear .
Blakeney Red Perry Pear
Known to have been in existence in 1600, some trees are over 300 years old and it is now the most common perry pear in the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire region.
The Blakeney Red is a greenish yellow perry pear with a red flush on the sunny side, an old favourite which was even considered a desert pear in the 1600's. which could also be stewed and used to dye soldiers' khaki uniforms.
This popular pear is renowned for perry making and is considered one of the best single perry varieties.
Many Cider companies still rely on this pear to produce quality cider.
A statuesque specimen can be found in the Acorn Bank Orchards at Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Perry Pear - Balkeney Red at Acorn Bank, Cumbria.
This tree towers above it's neighbouring Medlar's to some 40 or 50 feet.
A well shaped tree, the fruit glows red on the sunniest side and hangs in abundance, crammed onto the upward facing branches.
To find out more about Perry pears and Perry making visit the Three Counties Perry website.
You can find young trees at Cummins Nursery.
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18th Century Pear
We have had a request from Jamie who is trying to transcribe a letter of 1735, in which the writer seems to have given a variety of pear tree to the Duke of Atholl. He spells it as Lieuzeinsky, which may be Luzinsky.
If anybody is able to shed any light on this subject, please let us know so that we can assist Jamie with his transcription.
Jamie has kindly sent us the relevant part of the letter as someone may have a better interpretation.
The writer was chief of the Clan Donnachaidh, who spent a good 20 years in exile in France for treason for his support of the deposed Stuart dynasty. He had a known interest in gardens.
‘I have sent my Lady Jean a part of the first trails of my young standards of which the tree in the middle of the garden is one. I have wrapped them in paper that I may know if they be sweet as they are innocent like the person to be tempted. I am told the K of France has not a finer pair in his possession nor can he bestow them half so worthily & I have seen and can judge of both competitors for Birth and Beauty, without disparagement to the ?Lieuzenskys, I am to your Grace and family an eternal humble servant A ROBERTSON OF STROWAN’
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