Traditional Apple — Old Varieties

Karen from Shropshire contacted us requesting details of traditional apple varieties for the region.

Her school is taking part in the Learning Through Landscapes “Fruit-full Schools” project.

They are planning to establish a community orchard in the school grounds and would like to be able to grow old local varieties.

If anybody can help with information about varieties of apples that have traditionally been grown in shropshire, then please contact us via the comments section at the end of this post and we will forward the details.

More information

Learning from Landscapes believe passionately that children and young people who miss out on good school grounds miss out on the best start in life.

School grounds play a vital role in every child’s learning and development. They are unique spaces, providing safe and diverse opportunities for understanding, achievement, healthy exercise and play.

Learning From Landscapes will help you;

* Identify how to make physical changes to your grounds, and find people who can help
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* Provide a range of formal and informal opportunities for physical activity, improving health, well-being and motivation to learn.
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Counties all over the UK are preparing for their Apple Day events to be held throughout the month of October.

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.

Apple Varieties for Shropshire

Apple Day in Cumbria 2009