Old Varieties

Celebrating and remembering old fruit and vegetable varieties

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Cumbria

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
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.
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.


Apple – Charles Ross

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

Charles Ross
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.

Apple – Norfolk Beefing

The Norfolk Beefing or Norfolk Biffin apple was raised in Norfolk, England and first recorded in 1807.

Norfolk Beefing (Biffin) apple
Norfolk Beefing (Biffin) apple

Fruits are very firm, round and slightly flat, about 5cms across and about 4 cms  high with a course, juicy texture. The skin is yellow-green, but with brown-purple and dark red streaks.

Inside, the crisp flesh has a green tint, acidic with a hint of cinnamon.

The apples store well, getting sweeter with keeping, and are even sweet enough to use as desert apples by March the following year. A good cooking and drying apple.

With keeping, they turn a deeper brown or maroon colour, with harder, more solid flesh.

These apples were popular with Norwich bakers and were sent to London fruiterers as a delicacy. They were also used for cider making

It is best cooked whole in a very slow (bread) oven for over 4 – 5 hours.

Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: Mid October
Natural Storage: December – April

Where to find the Norfolk Beefing apple: Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.

Are Your Bluebells Native?

A few woodland areas in the UK will soon be carpeted in blue from the end of April to Mid May.

Bluebell wood at Muncaster Castle
Bluebell wood at Muncaster Castle

Our native British Bluebell is considered an endangered species and as such cannot be picked or uprooted from the wild.  Even the seed cannot be gathered without the consent of Natural England.




The Natural History Museum state:

“In recent years there has been growing concern that our native species is under threat by breeding with the cultivated bluebell. Hybridisation can alter a plant species’ genetic makeup and may result in a reduced ability to survive.

Until recently, this popular theory has been supported by little evidence, and the true status of bluebells in the UK and Ireland may be more complex.  Further study is needed to find out if the native bluebell is really under threat.”

You can help take part in this study by logging onto to Natural History Museum Website and recording your bluebell findings.

An article in the April issue of Country Living magazine focuses on a couple who have become two of the first people in England to be granted permission to gather bluebell seeds from their farm woodland in Kent.  Barry and Karin of Farnell Farm carefully collect, preserve and sell their bluebell seed so that others can enjoy the beauty of this beautiful flower.

Thanks to their hard work and that of others, it is now easier to raise your own native bluebells from seed.

Places to see Bluebell woods:

You may also be interested in:

BBC article and video
Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust. Feature and picture gallery.
Central Scotland Forest Trust. Atricle about bluebells under threat

To grow your own native British Bluebells, bulbs and seed can be obtained from the following suppliers;

Farnell Farm – Native Bluebell seeds for your garden or woodland. Ideal for cultivating large areas.
The Wild Flower Shop – Specialists in naive British plants.
Nicky’s Nursery – Native British Bluebell wild flower seeds.