Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is creating a new fruit orchard using 60 local variety apple, pear and plum trees at the Trust’s Vell Mill nature reserve near Newent.

Over the last 30 years traditional orchards have declined by 67% in the county , and the Trust is calling upon the help of the local community and it’s supporters to take part.

60 different fruit tree varieties will be planted, including the traditional Gloucestershire varieties, Jackets and Waistcoats, Lemon Pippin and Jacob Plum.

Jan Ryder, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Community Fundraiser said: “Not only do orchards provide mouthwatering fruits for us to relish, but they are an ideal place for lesser spotted woodpecker and mistletoe to thrive, and we are overjoyed to be creating a new orchard for all to enjoy.”

Many of the trees are being dedicated to individual people, 12 will be planted in recognition of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s past Chairmen, and a number will be planted for the local community.

Mrs Jeffries, of Cheltenham, has dedicated a tree for her son, said: “I am pleased to be able to support this orchard as I feel passionately about preserving old local trees and customs. The idea is to make this a living legacy so that when I am no longer here my son will have something to remember me by.”

All the trees will be given special treatment by being blessed using the old custom of balancing cider-soaked toast on the branches, and adding a trickle of local cider to water the roots.

The National Trust has revealed that despite the UK being a nation of apple lovers, the majority of Britons cannot identify home grown varieties.

The charity is urging people to ‘take the right bite’ this Autumn to make the most of the unique British flavours available and help save UK orchards.

Heritage varieties of apples collected in a wooden tray - Credit-NTPL / William-Shaw.

Research shows that although more than half of us, 53%, crunch into an apple each week. However, 41% of people who eat apples find it difficult to pick out British grown apples.

While British grown varieties such as the Bramley, Cox Orange Pippin and Egremont Russet are recognised by some apple eaters, 61% of adults wrongly guessed that the Granny Smith is grown on UK soil, when it originates from Australia. Similarly, almost a quarter of people (23%) thought that the Pink Lady is grown in the UK.

As part of its Food Glorious Food campaign , the National Trust has launched its guide ‘How to eat an apple’ to encourage people to buy British grown apples and help ensure our apple heritage is preserved.

Fiona Reynolds, Director General at the National Trust said: “British apples are now being harvested and we’re spoilt for choice with local flavours.  Whether it’s the rich, sweet Cox, or the nutty Egremont Russet we urge everyone to chose and enjoy home grown varieties throughout the day. We need more people to choose British and help protect our orchards. 70 % of apples bought in the UK are imported and this must change.”

The survey also showed that  a quarter of 18-24 year olds do not eat apples at all.

Rachel Brewer, Pommelier for the National Trust, said: “It’s been another fantastic year for apples, all thanks to our unusually hot Spring, which has meant apple blossom has been able to set earlier. There’s such a variety of UK apples ready for picking at the moment; Early Worcester, is a great eating apple and Tom Putt, perfect for cider, but also a very good juice apple too. My favourite is the Ten Commandments, a bright red, really sweet apple which goes brilliantly with blue cheese and port.”

Research sources

Some data supplied by YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2000 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1 to 4 July 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

Additional data supplied by Campaign for Real Farming; http://www.campaignforrealfarming.org/2010/06/community-orchards/

The Ellison's Orange apple  was raised by the Reverend. C.C. Ellison at Bracebridge and Mr. Wipf, gardener at Hartsholme Hall in Lincolnshire, England.

Ellison's Orange

First records of the Ellison's Orange date back to 1904, being introduced by Pennells Nurseries, Lincolnshire in 1911.

The RHS gave it an Award of Merit in 1911 and a First Class Certificate in 1917.

Fruits have soft juicy flesh with a striped red skin.  It is noted to have a rich, strong aniseed flavour when ripe.

Uses: Desert
Parents: Female - Cox's Orange Pippin x Male - Calville Blanc
Flowers: Mid to late May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: September to October

The Ellison's orange apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples

The Lancashire Pippin was received by the national fruit trials in 1950, from Westmorland in Northern England.

Lancashire Pippin

Fruits have soft, slightly course flesh with a subacid flavour. Reportedly, this flavour becomes very bland when cooked.

Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Mid to late May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: October

The Lancashire Pippin apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.

Counties all over the UK are preparing for their Apple Day events to be held throughout the month of October.

Apple orchard, Acorn Bank, Penrith.

Britain has the largest apple heritage in the world, with only a handful of the varieties seen for sale today. Old varieties do exist all over the country with many special National Apple Day events taking place each year to promote these wonderful fruits.

The annual festival is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of preserving traditional apple varieties,

The 2009 Apple Day events in Cumbria will be held on:

28th September - 1st october 2009 - Sizergh Castle & Garden, Kendal, Cumbria.
Guided walks and apple identification. Juicing and tasting. (Identification of apples on Tuesday and Thursday).
Recipe cards and advice available.
Visit Sizergh Castle & Gardens website

Sunday 3rd October 2009 - Wordsworth House, Cockermouth, Cumbria.
Taste some of Cumbria's heritage apples such as the Keswick Codlin, Greenup Pippin and Carlisle Codlin.
Lots of apple games, baking and juicing demonstrations, fun and competitions.
Visit the Wordsworth House website.

Saturday 3rd October - Orchard Barn, 32 Briery Bank, Arnside.
Orchard walks, apple identification, cakes and jams, cookery demonstrations, story-telling, children’s games and much more. 10am - 4pm Organised by the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Partnership

Saturday October 17 &  Sunday 18th - Beetham Nurseries,  Pool Darkin Lane, Beetham CLA7 7AP
Meet Hilary Wilson ‘The Apple Lady’ on Saturday 17th October. Hilary’s  interest in apples, which began when she was a child, led her to research and source varieties suitable for the wet and cold conditions in this area, she is also an expert in the skill of grafting.
Hilary will be on hand to chat and answer your questions. She enjoys helping people to identify their apples.
Attractions to include: Wide selection of apple trees including some unusual varieties;  Enjoy apple tasting and delicious home made ‘fruity food’ in the Tea Room.
Expert advice on pollination, pruning, pests and diseases & tree selection; we will have many other types of fruit trees including: Peaches, Pears, Plums, Kiwis and Cherries. And on Sunday 18th October the Kendal Beekeepers’ Association will be present. They will bring along a glass observation hive with real bees, information on attracting bees into your garden, and a beehive containing photographs so people can see inside ‘safely’, and perhaps even honey to sell.
Visit Beetham Nurseries website.

Sunday 18th October 2009 - Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria.
Games and competitions, advice on growing apples, storytelling, Punch & Judy, Music, dance and pruning demonstrations with the Northern Fruit group, cookery demonstrations with Annette Gibbons. There will be a local food producers' market and country crafts.

Entertainment from Punch and Judy, Crook Morris, The Eden Valley Storytellers and The Eagle Bowmen.
A large number of different varieties of apple are available to buy and to sample, and you are welcome to bring your own apples to be identified (by prior arrangement).
Visit Acorn Bank website.

To find out about Apple Day events all over the country visit The Common ground website.

The Red Ellison's Orange is a more highly coloured sport of Ellison"s Orange and was discovered in 1948 in H.C. Selby's orchard in Walpole St. peter, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Red Ellison's Orange

The Fruits have a soft juicy flesh with a rich and strong aniseed flavour.

Red Ellison's Orange is a good mid season eating apple.

Uses: Desert
Parents: Female - Cox's Orange Pippin x Male - Calville Blanc
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: September - October.

The Red Ellison's Orange apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples

The Apple Charles Ross was raised by it's namesake, a gardener at Welford Park Gardens, Newbury, Berkshire.

Charles Ross

First exhibited in 1890 as Thomas Andrew Knight ( Then President of the Royal Horticultural Society) but renamed Charles Ross at the request of his employer, Captain Carstairs in 1899.

The apple won the RHS Award of merit and a first class certificate in 1899.

Fruits are rather course in texture, juicy and sweet with a moderate flavour.  The skin bears an orange / red flush.

Easy to grow and scab resistant, this apple bakes well and is a valued garden apple.

Uses: Dual purpose (mainly desert)
Parents: Female - Peasgood Nonsuch x Male - Cox's Orange Pippin
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: October to December.

The Apple Charles Ross can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.

Kidd's Orange Red is a classic English apple. Named after an amateur New Zealand apple breeder, J.H. Kidd, in the 1920s.

Kidd's Orange Red

The thin skin is yellow with a pink blush as it ripens, turning to an orange-red flush by the time it is ready for picking. Irregular light patches of russet can give it a marbled appearance.

Flesh is a cream colour, dense and firm with a sweet honey flavour.

A good garden apple but not a heavy cropper.

Uses: Desert
Parents: Cox's Orange Pippin x Red Delicious
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: October
Natural Storage: Nov-Jan

A recent visit to one of the local stores and we came across this apple with a local name.

The Egremont Russet, according to the Orange Pippin online directory, is a classic English russet apple from the Victorian era.

The website goes on to say that the apple taste is traditionally described as "nutty", with a  flavour  more delicate than most varieties, and quite sweet. Both the flavour and the soft flesh are reminiscent of a firm pear. 

The history

The Egremont Russet was first recorded in 1872, and is believed to have been raised by Lord Egremont at Petworth in Sussex, UK.

It received the Award of Merit from the RHS in 1980.

As far as we can acertain the name has no connection to the Northern English town of Egremont, famous for the Crab fair.

Russeting is the term used to describe apples whose skin is dry and coarse, similar to fine sandpaper. 

More information

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2003/nov/17/food.foodanddrink

The National Fruit Collection at Brogdale