Marcher Apple Network APPLES & PEARS AFALAU A PÊR Volume 2 No1. Non-members £2 Autumn 2007

The Paramor Orchard

In this issue: Page The Paramor Orchard 2 Mike Porter’s Orchard Gleanings 5 Our Museum Orchards 7 Meet the Committee 10 Brogdale: What’s Happening ..? 12 ‘A very Happy Life’ Profile of Ray Boddington 16 Plus our regular features

Reviving the old varieties of apples and pears in the marcher counties ELEBRATION www.marcherapple.net C ISSUE CELEBRATION Following news of the who generously provided the orchard gateway, and poured a successful completion of the finance for the project, and is libation to the goddess purchase of a site for a MAN also the artist painting the Pomona. Members present orchard, members of MAN apples and blossom for the made an informal tour of visited Cwmdu on 3rd May for forthcoming Pomona of the inspection and drank a glass of a preliminary celebration of the Welsh Marches, ceremonially cider to toast the success of acquisition. Dr Margaret Gill, cut the tape across the the project.

MAN members assemble to see Margaret Gill cut the tape

Margaret lines up the scissors Cutting the tape A libation

MAN members toast the Tom Froggatt, Peter Austerfield, Mike Porter and success of the project the successful bidder. Tom Froggatt (backs to the camera) discuss possibilities with Richard Wheeler

Marcher Apple Network NOTES FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The year 2006/7 has been one Speaking of change, you will be of our busiest, and it says much aware that the Newsletter has for the hard work and dedication taken on a new appearance. After of your committee and support 12 years it was thought that it was from you, the members. time to review our major publication for members. What you Since we took the path of see is the result of many meetings producing materials to aid of the Editorial Committee, chaired identification and to be of general by Tony Malpas, and discussions in use and interest to as many general committee. We hope you people as possible, we have approve of the new style. maintained, if not increased, our momentum. Even now there is talk Once again there were many of CD 3, and the possibility of a activities over the year, from facsimile version of the shows, fairs and identification Herefordshire Pomona has re- sessions to orchard visits and surfaced. But these are for the pruning work. There were two future and at the moment we are and water colour illustrations by Dr members’ events. Although, sadly, occupied with things described in more Margaret A V Gill, this promises to be I could not attend the visit to Cui Parc detail elsewhere in this Newsletter. another unique production and one to see the orchards of our President, that, in its way, will contribute to the Sir Andrew Large, it was very highly One thing that has helped us to keep collection of Pomonas associated with regarded. As numbers were limited, a up the momentum is our ability to the area. Publication is scheduled for number of you were disappointed not communicate electronically. Most 2008/9 (See progress report on to have been in the first twenty committee members now use e-mail as page 9) respondents, so I am glad to say that routine, and together with our Sir Andrew has kindly agreed to our secretary, Marie Ward, this has made We have of course another reason to arranging a repeat visit in 2008. Our our organisation much more efficient. be grateful to Dr. Gill and this relates thanks to Sir Andrew and Lady Large Needless to say we also have our to the other major event of the year. for their hospitality. October saw a full excellent website provided by our Through her generosity we have been day devoted to ‘The Long Ashton Webmaster, Richard Wheeler. (See able to purchase 5.6 acres of land in Legacy’, hosted by the Cider Museum, Webmaster’s Report, page 15) to give MAN its own orchard. Hereford, and organised by Tony This is the lead story in this Newsletter, Malpas. This well attended event There was a sigh of relief on the 12th and next year’s Newsletter will no doubt provided an opportunity to hear at first April when the Pomona sub-committee see the first of many progress reports hand, from two of those involved in finally approved version 15 of our new on the development of the orchard. research at Long Ashton, Liz Copas CD Vintage Fruit. The number of and John Worle, and to see the versions indicates the work involved in A recent ‘Forward Planning’ meeting practical applications in the orchard at producing what I think is a very worthy focused on how we organise our AGM Field Farm. In January of this year I follow-up to our earlier CD The and Apple Day. This is the MAN event visited Whitecross School, Hereford, to Herefordshire Pomona. The two have of the year, and last year we began to present four framed prints of apples on taken about 5 years to produce and think about different ways of doing it. which their ‘Academy’ names are Richard Wheeler is to be congratulated The discussion continues, but generally based. The prints, provided by our once again for his splendid work. The there is a consensus that the time has Webmaster and professionally framed CD, a unique publication on cider come for a change. This year we are in ‘Academy’ colours, were a gift to this apples and perry pears, was launched separating the two events, so that the newly opened school from MAN. The on Monday 7th May at Westons Bottle Apple Day will be on Saturday 6th ‘Academy’ names are Bromley, Hagloe, Museum, when Keith Knight was the October at the Cider Museum, Moyle and Styre. Trees of the last guest speaker. Buy it and you will not Hereford, and the AGM, also at the three varieties (Hagloe Crab, Gennet be disappointed. Cider Museum, will be on Saturday 1st Moyle, Eggleton Styre) have been December. Following the AGM there planted at the school. They are still The next publication will be our ‘Welsh will be a talk by Dr Murray Mylechreest looking for Bromley, as indeed are we. Marches Pomona’ in book form. This on the life and work of the There is a picture taken at the event on project has been mentioned before Herefordshire pomologist, Thomas our website, (see Newsletter No 12) and is now well Andrew Knight. www.marcherapple,net/whitex.htm underway. With text by Mike Porter Peter Austerfield. 1 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 THE PARAMOR ORCHARD A combination of two pieces of Norman of before present grass swards seems to be good fortune has enabled joining the River Usk. mainly due to fluctuations in drainage MAN to make our orchard conditions, as the area of field near the In medieval times Tretower Castle was copse is watered by a seasonal spring. dream come true. the stronghold and administrative Dr Margaret Gill made us an centre of the Lordship of Ystradyw The churchyard below holds the extremely generous offer of (usually called Straddewy by the tombstone of Rev Thomas Price, Vicar the purchase money, and a Normans) which encompassed of Cwmdu from 1825 – 1848. He suitable parcel of land came up territory which later became the was a fervent patriot who did much to parishes of Llanfihangel Cwmdu and promote the Welsh language at a time for auction at just the right . Apples have been cultivated when it was severely threatened by the time and place. in this region for hundreds of years. A Establishment. Thomas Price, perhaps Mike Porter provides the charter, dated about 1175, from John better known under his bardic name of background. Picard, grandson of the first Norman Carnhuanawc, was a polymath with a Lord of Ystradyw, includes apples in a wide range of interests and An orchard of our own has long been list of crops grown on his demesne. A accomplishments – historian, essayist, an ambition of the Marcher Apple manorial estate plan of 1587 shows a musician, orator, linguist and Network. In March, at a tense auction large orchard, marked ‘Perllan’, on the antiquarian. He played the flute, guitar at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, a bank of the Rhiangoll beside the castle. and Welsh harp and was a parcel of land at Llanfihangel Cwmdu A cider cellar, constructed in the wholehearted supporter of was knocked down to MAN, sixteenth century, can still be seen at Eisteddfodau. He wrote a History of represented by our Treasurer, Tom . Wales, published in and, Froggatt. The purchase, made possible with his friend Lady Llanover, by the generosity of Dr. Margaret Gill, Our holding consists of two pasture contributed to a translation of the illustrator of the forthcoming Pomona fields, one of five acres and the other Mabinogion. of the Welsh Marches, has presented half an acre, both surrounded by stock- us with an exciting opportunity to proof fences and hedges. In one According to his biographer, Jane realise our dream. It will not happen corner of the larger field there is a Williams, he was a great supporter of overnight, nor without careful planning damp copse with tall alder and ash traditional ways, and in his garden at and a lot of hard work, but we trees and, in spring, a colourful ground Cwmdu cultivated vegetables favoured are embracing the challenge with flora. The soil in both fields is a fertile by his ancestors, such as the leek and enthusiasm. The way in which the loam derived from the underlying Old small yellow turnip, brightening his plot orchard will be developed and managed Red Sandstone. by sowing seeds of broom and fragrant has already generated several gillyflowers. Plainly an early exponent proposals and provoked considerable Cwmdu parish tithe map, drawn up in of biological control measures, he debate; the committee would welcome 1844, shows that the present large trained his ferret to hunt down the rats further ideas. In the meantime, field was divided, at that time, into two which had attacked his library. Such perhaps it might be helpful to look at smaller plots, which were part of the an enlightened man would surely the geographical and historical glebe. The rental charge on one field have approved our plan to cultivate background of our holding. was paid to the Rector – at that time traditional varieties of apples, such the Rev Lord William Somerset; the as Pig yr wydd, Landore and Ten The village of Cwmdu is situated in the rent for the other field was due to the Commandments, in an orchard on his foothills of the Black Mountains, in Vicar, Rev Thomas Price. Both fields former glebe. the east of the old county of were farmed by John Gwillim, who Mike Porter and within the appears to have been the largest Beacons National Park. Our holding farmer in the parish, with about 380 lies on gently sloping ground at an acres to his name. In 1844 the altitude of 150 - 160m, facing south- Rector’s Glebe was recorded as west towards the village, with the pasture and the Vicar’s Glebe as sturdy fortified tower of St. Michael’s arable. The small half-acre field was a Church a prominent landmark. Due meadow which belonged to the farm west across the valley is an Iron Age nearby called Pencaecrwn. Recent hill fort, Coed y gaer, hidden by trees. management as sheep pasture A brook called Rhiangoll runs through throughout the year has obscured the village and down the valley in a former differences in vegetation. Any southerly direction, flowing past the variation in the composition of the Tretower Castle 2 Marcher Apple Network PURCHASE OF THE PARAMOR ORCHARD

We became aware of this land for sale, described by the agents as Lot 1, Cwmdu, only very shortly before the date of the auction, which was 29th March 2007. The agents' particulars described it as 'conveniently situated close to the centre of the village of Cwmdu, just off the A479 Crickhowell to road, and of total area 2.264ha or 5.59 acres, for the most part gently sloping and providing good grazing, with the benefit of good road access and a natural water supply.' An outline plan of the site is shown drawn on a section of the 1882 twenty-five inch Ordnance Survey map in which its position in relation to the church and village of Cwmdu can be seen.

Everyone on the Committee who went to see it thought that it would be suitable, so Tom Froggatt and Mike Porter were commissioned to go to the auction and bid for it. Tom takes up the story.

After several anxious hours on the phone with MAN member and solicitor Nigel Recordon, Mike Porter and I went to Abergavenny on March 29th to attend this auction sale, and were met there by Nigel to clarify several legal points. We were interested in Lot 1, and bidding soon commenced in a crowded room. Knowing the amount we had been promised, we felt that funds could be stretched a bit more, and, at £5000 over our 'limit', we were the victors. (Our benefactor afterwards very generously made up the extra £5000). The next, smaller, plot then went for very much more than we had paid, and we were even more excited. With legal formalities completed, we then had a celebratory meal before returning home in a jubilant, but sober, manner. Tom Froggatt 25” OS Map (1882) of Cwmdu showing Paramor Orchard Site Plan WHO WERE THE PARAMORS? Margaret Gill explains some were more adventurous, and captained his own ship. Then there was some even achieved a local fame. “my might-have-been uncle” Jack, poet Now that the Marcher Apple Network There was the Elizabethan Thomas and idealist, who followed his “dreams has been able to purchase its own plot Paramor, remembered in Thanet as of chivalry” to death on the beach at of land for the creation of the Paramor sponsor of the last trial by combat to Gallipoli. Finally there are the Paramors Orchard, members may be wondering be fought on English soil (or rather not I knew in person, my mother Marjorie at the name. Who were the fought, as it was banned at the last (teacher and mathematician, “the sum Paramors? Simply, they were my moment by the Queen); as Mayor of of all gentleness”) and her siblings: mother’s family, about whom my Canterbury, he presided over the Frank (architect), who walked “without brother has written in a volume of second Guy Fawkes night celebrations the torment of ideals” and sleeping “in verse entitled The Paramor Poems - a and his name is to be found inscribed Welsh chapels of quiet stone, left a celebration of a Kentish family. on the ceremonial sword. A century shilling for the roof at dawn”; Edith (civil “Labourers mostly, your ancestors and later when castaway on Anguilla, servant), who “shared her birthday with mine, who drudged from dawn to dusk another Thomas was rescued by a the century” and spent her latter years in squire’s fields...” are the opening warship of William III, fortuitously “content with Brecon’s hills and skies”; lines of a poem addressed to our named The Paramour and carrying on and Helen (teacher), indirectly due to second cousin John Paramor (artist, board the astronomer Edmond Halley. whom I moved from the orchards of now living on the Costa Brava and last Another seafarer was my grandfather Kent to make my home in the Welsh male descendant of “gentle” John, William, master mariner; as first mate, Marches. This is the family the vicar’s coachman). But not all the he sailed with Joseph Conrad (second Paramor orchard celebrates. earlier Paramors worked the land; mate) in the “Adowa”, and later Margaret A.V.Gill 3 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 1. “Gentle” John Paramor 2. William Paramor, Master 3. John Frederick Paramor (1832-1904) Mariner (1861-1904) (1894-1915) John Paramor was born in Unlike his ancestors, William went to Jack Paramor, William and Annie’s Sibertswold in East Kent. Apprenticed sea. Indentured at the age of 16, he first son, was sensitive, reflective, as a boy to the blacksmith in worked his way up to becoming a popular and as a poet certainly gifted. Nonington, he later used his master mariner in sail and steam. His He won a scholarship to Bancrofts knowledge of horses to become the was an adventurous life which School, and later served in the Vicar of Nonington’s coachman. He included being shipwrecked off Accountant General’s Department of married a local girl and begat nine Samoa, and nearly being rammed by the GPO in London. Before war broke children. On his employer’s death, a German cruiser in Penang Harbour out he had already joined the 7th John moved the family to Rusthall, in the autumn of 1914. Fond of Battalion of the Essex Regiment, where he worked as a steward at the reading, he made a congenial which arrived in the Dardanelles in Spa Golf Club (Tunbridge Wells). A companion for Joseph Conrad, who August 1915. In early October Jack modest man who led a modest life, of served with him for six weeks in the fell to a Turkish bullet. The family whom his daughter-in-law was able to “Adowa”. In his reminiscences, ‘A never really recovered from the write, when learning of John’s death: Personal Record,’ Conrad refers to tragedy. Pencilled in his brown army “His was a beautiful life, as near William’s “cheery nature”. In the year book are 11 beautiful sonnets ‘Christlike’ as an earthly person could he gained his Master’s Certificate he dedicated to Jessica in Sussex. be…” married the girl next door, Annie Did she ever see them? Middleton; and in due course there were five children, including Jack and Marjorie (see below). In 1928 the Paramors left Leytonstone for Worthing, where their bungalow was named “Adowa”.

4. Marjorie Maud Gill (née Paramor) (1908-1977) The youngest of the Paramor children, Marjorie had a sweet temperament and in time showed academic brilliance. She obtained a first-class degree in Mathematics at Bedford College (University of London) and went into teaching. In 1933 she married Donald Gill and they moved to Chislehurst, where their children, David and Margaret, were born. A Christian and a Socialist, Marjorie had a lively social conscience as well as a strong sense of family: her family picnics on the beach at Worthing were planned with mathematical precision and never without jelly.

Copies of the photographs from the family album, and their captions, were kindly provided by Margaret’s brother, David Gill.

4 Marcher Apple Network ORCHARD GLEANINGS 2007 In the MAN campaign to track down old apple varieties there have been some notable successes, but, says Mike Porter, there are still a lot more out there waiting to be found.

One of the main objectives of the Marcher Apple Network is to find and propagate old varieties of apples and pears. The launch of a new style of Newsletter seemed an opportune Onibury Pippin Chatley Kernel moment to review our progress in the hunt. In our apple exhibition at the are under surveillance in our museum piecing together of small but significant Malvern Autumn Show in 1995 we orchards, and our research has shown clues or from a sudden flash of displayed a “WANTED” poster naming that a further two were impostors recognition. Whatever the initial eleven varieties of old apples we were masquerading under synonyms: ‘Lady stimulus, authentication requires hoping to recapture. Derby’, better known as Thorle Pippin, painstaking research, sometimes and ‘Longville’s Kernel’, alias Sam’s involving cultivation and intensive study Crab. (See photo on page 7). for a number of years.

Since MAN was established fourteen Our museum orchards have been of years ago, at least 27 varieties of “lost” great value in helping to untangle apples have been rediscovered and confusion over identification. We now brought back into cultivation. Reports know that apples collected from four detailing the pursuit of the renowned different places are all examples of the Newland Sack, Onibury Pippin, Chatley variety King’s Acre Bountiful. We can Kernel, Sugar Loaf Pippin, Gipsy King distinguish between the aristocratic and others have featured in previous Codlins, Lords Grosvenor and Suffield. newsletters. Keswick Codlin can be separated from Golden Spire with more confidence. Such “finds” may result from unknown We now know that the so called apples being brought in for “Newland Sack” from Erddig is King’s identification at shows or they may be Acre Pippin. The various types of the result of highly organised raids on ‘Quoinings’, for example, may be grown local orchards. Establishing the true side by side for comparison. identity of suspects may result from the

These varieties had been chosen either because they were of local provenance or had figured in reports of apple exhibitions staged by the Woolhope Club prior to their publication of The Herefordshire Pomona. At the Show in 1995 the poster provoked some discussion but provided no “leads”. Subsequently two of the varieties (Onibury Pippin and Credenhill Pippin) have been refound; possible representatives of two other varieties Credenhill Pippin Sugar Loaf Pippin 5 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 Gipsy King Winter Quoining compare with Crimson Quoining on p7

From catalogues, handbooks and Watkins, was one of three men Pippin. Published descriptions of that scientific reports we know that at least employed on the farm. In the early variety are scanty, but the fruits we 260 varieties of culinary and dessert years of the 20th century much of the were shown certainly matched the apples and more than 140 varieties of fruit being produced was sent by train account of Credenhill Pippin in The cider apples are associated with our for sale in Edinburgh. Apples of England by H V Taylor, who area, i.e., reputedly raised here or states that the variety had been raised introduced by local nurseries. Less On a later visit I was shown the by Mr. Whiting of Hereford. It is a than half (about 48%) of the former notebook in which Frank Whiting listed, colourful, red–striped apple with a fine category remain in cultivation. row by row, the fruit trees he was flavour and keeps in good condition until Probably an even smaller percentage growing between 1895 and 1906. February. of cider varieties are still extant. There Judging by the numbers of each sort are still plenty of “lost” varieties that were planted, the most popular at It was tantalising to read, in Frank awaiting rediscovery. this time were Lane’s Prince Albert, Whiting’s notebook, the names of many King of the Pippins, Cox’s Pomona, varieties of apple which have At the Malvern Show last autumn two Bramley’s Seedling, Stirling Castle, disappeared from cultivation and are visitors from Credenhill, Mr and Mrs Bismarck, Frogmore Prolific and not even to be found in the National Batchelor, happened to mention that Worcester Pearmain. About 170 Fruit Collections. British Queen, they lived in a house formerly occupied varieties of apples are listed, including Blacksmith, College Apple, Wormsley by Frank Whiting, a notable fruit some which have been rediscovered in Grange Apple, Caradoc Scarlet and grower in the early part of the 20th recent years, such as Onibury Pippin, Credenhill Beauty were all being grown century. At that time Credenhill must Chatley Kernel and Credenhill Pippin. in Credenhill around 1900. Little is have been very much at the heart A few years ago a visitor to our stall at known about Credenhill Beauty, a mid- of apple growing activities in the Big Apple event brought in apples season cooker, which, The Apple Herefordshire. The Rector, the which his father had called Credenhill Register records, was exhibited for the Reverend C H Bulmer, had played a first and only time at the Royal leading role in the compilation of The Horticultural Society’s Fruit Conference Herefordshire Pomona, and was in 1934. As Whiting was growing it in celebrated locally as a judge of cider 1901, it seems quite likely that he also and perry. His son, H P Bulmer had raised that variety, and, possibly others established a cider-making business at such as Blacksmith and Black Twig also Credenhill. Frank Whiting’s father, sent from Herefordshire to the 1934 Richard, who farmed at Lower House, Conference at the Crystal Palace. was churchwarden at Credenhill. The Unfortunately, most of the apple trees Batchelors told me that the on his plot were grubbed out about fifty smallholding which they now farmed years ago when the holding was had been bought by the Whitings to converted to vegetable production. provide a living for Frank, who had suffered from polio in his youth. Much Mike Porter later, Mrs Batchelor’s father, Tom Sweeney Nonpareil 6 Marcher Apple Network OUR MUSEUM ORCHARDS Thanks to the generosity of The crop last year was superb and the wood taken from old trees growing local landowners, MAN was vigour and health of the trees sometimes in derelict orchards which able soon after its formation demonstrate the suitability of this well- were impossible to identify, but which drained, slightly calcareous site on the we thought ought to be conserved. to begin establishing museum hill above the village. orchards. Chris Porter looks After being grown on healthy young back at achievements, and rootstocks it is easier to check them identifies a few pitfalls. out. A few favourite trees of the area were also grafted, like Sam’s Crab, After twelve years of working to Annie Elizabeth, Herefordshire establish five MAN orchards in different Pomeroy and Bismarck, which are parts of the Welsh Marches, what useful as control or reference trees. have we learned? What has turned Each autumn the ID panel tries to solve out well and, with the benefit of some of the mysteries, but many are hindsight, what could we have still known only by manuscript names. managed better? In the 1980s and We have had some success in sorting them out: “Plas Wye 2” and “Bowling 90s crisis loomed. Local orchards Sam’s Crab were being grubbed up and destroyed, Green” are varieties now recognised as grants being available for this. With Donnington had problems with drainage Alexander and Claygate Pearmain them many wonderful varieties of apple at first because machinery had respectively. Tree A4 from ‘Plas Wye’, were being lost and it looked as though compacted the heavy loam of the B5 from ‘Lothlorien’ and F16 from future generations would never have field. Apples do not enjoy having Norton Canon all turned out to be the opportunity to taste a Pitmaston their feet cold and wet, but after the the same variety, a rather delicious Pine Apple or Ribston Pippin or smell a drainage was improved this orchard of cooker King’s Acre Bountiful, named Crimson Quoining. 60 trees is starting to flourish. Because after the Hereford nursery where it Donnington’s owners have lived and originated. worked for many years across “the pond”, several of the varieties here, like Identification can be a slow and King of Tompkins County, Golden Russet painstaking process, however. The of West New York and Roxbury Russet, opportunity was taken to grow several were chosen because of their versions of supposedly the same variety association with the U.S.A. side by side so that they could be studied. In the early days grafts of an apple known locally as “Monmouth Green” were taken from several sites along the Wye valley in Radnorshire Crimson Quoining and Breconshire and the young trees were planted at Tredomen. When MAN has been very fortunate to enlist something similar, known as Landore, the support of several landowners turned up in various places in West sympathetic to the cause of Herefordshire, it was identified as the establishing Museum Orchards on their same apple. Landore was referred to land. Planting was started on four by the Reverend Francis Kilvert in orchards between 1995 and 1998, at 1870. There was much speculation Westhope, Donnington, Tredomen and about versions of another apple found Croft Pendarren; and at a fifth, Little in the Welsh Marches which Ffordd-fawr, in autumn 2002. Planting the first tree at Tredomen resembled the pictures of the Costard Orchard in 1995. Ray Boddington, apple varieties illustrated in The Westhope has 15 standard trees Frank Hemming, David Leitch Herefordshire Pomona. A graft of and John Aldridge. grown from grafts of local varieties, “Arrow Costard” was planted and the such as Sam’s Crab, Severn Bank, The other three orchards lie on the fruit from this young tree intrigued the Stoke Edith Pippin and Golden Harvey, Welsh side of the Border. Tredomen is MAN ID panel for many seasons. After taken from trees in Herefordshire, the largest with over 200 trees of chopping up several kilos of apples and Shropshire and Breconshire in various ages. Planting started in 1995, drawing, describing and comparing 1993/4. with trees having been grafted from them, inspiration struck when a similar

7 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 tree, the “Winforton Costard”, was have been planted alongside Welsh growth and anaemic tasting fruit. discovered and recognised as Scotch varieties like Marged Nicolas, Pig yr However, last autumn, the dark, pock- Bridget, an excellent apple variety wydd, Pig Aderyn. Environmental marked signs of “bitterpit” were which does very well in our Border considerations dictate the way this noticed in some varieties at Tredomen. area. orchard is managed since it grows in This condition, which is generally due established pasture (‘coed cae’ or to an imbalance in the mineral uptake, wooded grassland) with its associated may need to be remedied in future by flora and fauna. The older trees the application of calcium nitrate or planted in 1996 looked most beautiful calcified seaweed. Each orchard has this year, with their blossoms following different characteristics: Donnington the display of the ancient pear also and Tredomen have rich, water- growing there. retentive soils, usually positive qualities,

Scotch Bridget

Sometimes a special trip may have to be made to faraway RHS libraries to search through the old literature before an identification can be authenticated. This is how “Ty’r uched Codlin” became determined as Sugar Loaf Pippin, another Herefordshire Pomona apple rescued at Tredomen. Twenty nine newly grafted trees were planted in March 2007, seventeen of which are unknown: so the work goes View of Croft Pendarren Orchard. The mature pear (right) is the only tree that on . . . The trees have prospered remained from the previous orchard especially in the better drained areas but difficulties occasionally arise. At in this fairly level meadow of heavy Old Tredomen about thirty or forty trees Red Sandstone, for last year the were affected by stem-rot exacerbated wonderful blossom resulted in a by the use of plastic spiral guards. In surplus of apples, even more than a heavy, damp soil particularly, these could be sold at the AGM in October. encourage worms, woodlice and ants to creep up the inside, bringing in soil which cannot dry out, so eventually rot sets in. Now the spiral guards have been taken away each tree may have to be enclosed by chicken wire, as at Old Blenheim Orange tree in an Croft Pendarren, should rabbits start orchard at Checkley to be a hazard! We went The youngest orchard at Lower Ffordd- wholeheartedly for the use of mulch- fawr is more of a nursery plot, where mats too, hoping these would keep all the grafts are being grown on the grass from around the little trees. smaller and quicker developing M26 Unfortunately the grass grows over the rootstocks. The fruit from these young mat in one season making cutting Chris Porter checking fruit at trees should be produced earlier and, difficult and affecting the health of trees Tredomen Orchard, 2006 being from healthy stock, identification in the damp areas. Voles are on site, At Croft Pendarren, the landowner should be easier. Disappointingly many however, to take advantage of safe requested that traditional orchard grafts failed here at first, but as it is homes which the grassy mats provide, trees be planted so that a mower could suspected the cause for this is due to MAN maintenance being sporadic. pass beneath the branches. The 40 the method of grafting in situ in a very Over the years quite a lot has been varieties on M25 rootstocks have all dry season before the rootstocks were spent on ties for supporting the young been chosen because they are known established, perhaps we can learn trees, which have to be adjusted as to grow well in the wetter climate of the from this. trunks become sturdier. Some of the Welsh border. Therefore Blenheim cheaper types of tie take two people to Orange, Catshead, Ashmead’s Kernel Our trees have to fend for themselves do the job, resulting in grumbles from and Ribston Pippin, traditional without the application of fertilisers maintenance staff. (Volunteers!) favourites in orchards in the Marches, which tend to produce rather sappy 8 Marcher Apple Network A taller problem was encountered at individuals monitored. The guidance of create a feeling of hope about the Westhope where expensive seven foot our Webmaster, Richard Wheeler and future of traditional orchards, but can high wire cages had to enclose every the competence of our new Secretary, claim to be making a difference by tree when deer were found browsing Marie Ward, have been invaluable in establishing experimental, living the orchard. This protection has helping with this essential “book- museums so that our great- worked well and we are very grateful keeping” by setting up a database for grandchildren will be able to crunch a for Herefordshire Council’s contributory the orchards which will make Worcester Pearmain, make “biffins” grant. Maintenance though is difficult: management easier. from Herefordshire Beefings, and enjoy it takes an athletic chap to control the Soon outlets for all this splendid fruit a baked Herring’s Pippin and cream. brambles and bracken inside the will have to be found. Possibly this will We are grateful to the landowners of guards, as our Chairman, Peter not be a problem, because this is, after our orchards, Mrs. Molly Beaumont Austerfield, will confirm. all, the product which MAN members (Westhope), Mr. Roger Williams, M.P. will enjoy. It is estimated that MAN (Tredomen), Mr. William Gibbs (Croft Management of the orchards exploits must have nearly 400 different Pendarren), Mr. Roger Gouldstone the skills of all sorts of willing varieties of apple in its orchards, (Donnington) and Mr. David Pryce enthusiasts; from the early days of certainly a cause for celebration since Goodwin (Little Ffordd–fawr) for identifying unusual fruit and grafting the many of these have literally been helping MAN to achieve some of its scions from these, to planting, pruning brought ‘back from the brink’. Twelve objectives. and training the resulting young years have seen changes. MAN, Chris Porter. “maidens”. It is vital that reliable together with similar organisations records are kept and the health of the around Britain, is not only helping to A POMONA OF THE WELSH MARCHES Three meticulously packed parcels of apple blossom, sent by post from Brogdale during May, enabled Margaret Gill to complete her watercolour paintings of flowers for the Pomona. We are most grateful to Dr Emma -Jane Allen, Scientific Curator of the National Fruit Collections, and her staff, for their help. The timely arrival of Tewkesbury Baron, King Coffee and Green Purnell meant that only one variety, Ten Commandments, was outstanding.

In 2007 most varieties of apples in this part of the country flowered a fortnight or so earlier than last year, but Ten Commandments ran counter to the general trend and was a day or so later than usual. Eventually, in the middle of May, a telephone call was received from Nick Winney, Head Gardener at Berrington Hall, reporting that the two trees of Ten Commandments in their walled garden were just coming into bloom. After a quick trip to collect samples, Margaret was able to complete Blossom of Byford Wonder drawn and the flower paintings - logistically, if not painted by Dr Margaret Gill artistically, the most demanding part of the exercise. Sincere thanks to Nick for all his help in maintaining a watching brief that was anything but...

Only the fruit of four varieties still remain to be painted. Margaret should complete the illustrations in the autumn, so that part of the project is up to schedule. The illustrations are beautiful and will be a tremendous aid in identification. Further research will require more days in London, delving in the archives of the RHS Lindley Library in Vincent Square….Someone has to do it! Mike Porter.

9 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 MEET THE COMMITTEE The fourteen officers and members of the committee of the Marcher Apple Network are, it almost goes without saying, an extremely hard-working bunch. Not many committees can boast four Founder Members still serving after 14 years, and a steady growth from seven initially to fourteen now. Even so, perhaps not too much is known about them as individuals, how they came to it and why they do it. In an effort to remedy this, they were each asked to say, in about 100 words, how they first became aware of MAN, what induced them to join the committee, and what their hopes and aspirations are for its future. Oh, and also to supply a photograph of themselves. These are the results. Profiles and pictures compiled by Nicky Matcher.

Sir hope that we can keep up the good training courses and services to Andrew Large, work with your help and, although the members, including those without President people will change, that MAN goes specialist knowledge, but who support from strength to strength over the and appreciate our objectives. I first became coming years. aware of MAN Mike Porter, when I began Ray Founder my collection of Boddington, Member and apple varieties Hon Vice- Director of here at Cui in President, MAN the early 90's. I Founder was collecting old varieties, and Member, First Having grown particularly looking for local ones - by Chairman and up in western which I included those from all the Director of Herefordshire, Marches. Mike Porter introduced me MAN surrounded by to Sheila Leitch, and I was so orchards, I would have found it impressed by their boundless In the autumn of 1990 I met Sheila difficult not to have been interested in enthusiasm and knowledge, as well as Leitch, through a greengrocer in Hay- apples. A deterrent might have been the commitment to help in whatever on-Wye selling ‘Stirling’Castle’ labelled the inordinate amount of time we way with my modest project - scions apples. I was soon introduced to seemed to spend peeling and cutting to graft; advice about the varieties; Mike and Chris Porter, and along with up cooking apples. As children we identification etc. the late Stan Baldock and John knew the taste and ripening time of all My hope for the future - which I am Aldridge we met to explore orchards the apples in the garden and paddock confident will be met - is that MAN in the surrounding area. Following and orchards behind the house. In will continue the good work, spread advice, we established a formal autumn we helped to harvest the the interest in our wonderful apple organisation which we called the cider and pot fruit. Here there were heritage, and ensure that future Marcher Apple Network (MAN) in ancient trees where little-owls, generations will be able to sample 1993. redstarts and nuthatches nested. and enjoy these marvellous old My hope for the future of MAN is that All the orchards have gone, replaced varieties. it will just flourish and grow, and that by houses. I hope we can persuade a people will come along and tend its few people to plant orchards and Dr Peter orchards and fruit collections! include some of our local varieties of Austerfield, For a fuller profile of Ray see ‘A Very apples. Chairman and Happy Life’, page 16. Director of Chris Porter, MAN Sheila Leitch, Founder Founder Member and When I Member, Archivist moved to Network Co- Herefordshire ordinator, I became there were Former involved with three things I Newsletter MAN because it wanted to do: plant an orchard, a Editor and seemed a vineyard and establish a wild flower Librarian brilliant idea at meadow. Naturally, for the first, I the time. joined MAN and sought advice. Later I joined the committee when seven of Having moved house about twelve i was persuaded by Ray Boddington to us set up the Network in 1993. My years earlier to expand the apple become the 'custodian' of the MAN particular interest in apples arose collection which Mike (my husband) orchard in the village. This led to my from moving to Wye View, where the had been nurturing since the 1970s, joining the committee and now I find old espaliers in the walled garden it seemed a natural progression to myself Chairman. proved a challenge to a botanist. join others in 1993 whose aim was to Now well into its second decade, the Prior to marriage, my work with the try to save traditional orchards and Marcher Apple Network has become Nature Conservancy in South Wales their fruit before these all became a well respected association. Our was a useful base for my position as extinct. publications are highly regarded, our Network Co-ordinator. MAN’s aims are becoming more advice is sought. We do this through My hopes for the future of MAN are achievable as able, enthusiastic and a voluntary committee and, as ever, that we can enrol more young people younger people are coming forward to the support of our members. It is our and provide interesting events, give their time and talents. ‘Paramor

10 Marcher Apple Network Orchard’ is a wonderful opportunity, 1883, and remember the smell of Sylvia O’Brien, but it still has to be organised, apples a hundred yards away coming Project Officer planted and followed through. I hope from the exhibition hall. That winter I we shall all be inspired by working planted my first orchard of old Having been a together in this worthwhile venture varieties in a large rented garden member of MAN over the road from the Arsenal for several years, Tom Froggatt, stadium. Neighbours responded by I joined the Company putting in fruit trees on their patch, Committee recently Secretary, and a streetful of back gardens because, with the Treasurer and became an oasis resembling the purchase of the Director of orchards and market gardens which orchard land in Cwmdu, MAN had MAN had flourished there, provisioning the arrived on my doorstep. It seemed City, before the houses were built in an ideal opportunity to start taking I first became the 1880's. On coming to a more active part in MAN. aware of MAN Shropshire it was a short step to In future I would like to see the in 1995 when I make contact with MAN in 1996. orchard at Cwmdu developing into an met some Full circle. important historical resource for members identifying apples at 'The MAN as a whole and also for Cwmdu Big Apple’. I had inherited some 100 Tony Malpas, as a community. This exciting trees containing almost 70 varieties, I Vice-Chairman venture should be seen and enjoyed was in need of help. I joined the and Newsletter by many people. I would like MAN to Committee in l996 and soon became Editor 2007 become more approachable and Treasurer. I help at events and also community oriented, while remaining give talks. Never a dull moment. I first became true to its well-respected, more My hopes for the future of MAN are aware of MAN academic roots. that we can recruit younger members when Sheila to care for our orchards and also Leitch visited Marie Ward, learn the art and skills in identifying our Secretary and apples. Thanks to a generous donor smallholding on an open day and Events Organiser we have purchased land to become a asked if we had any interesting apples Museum orchard. The Paramor growing here. I think maybe Diggory I first became aware Orchard project is ongoing. Please let visited as well. Later, visiting an apple of MAN when I saw us have your ideas. ID session at Sheila’s house, I realised an advertisement for what important skills the identifiers a part-time minutes Richard had and wished I had them too, so I secretary in our Cheshire, joined the committee. local parish Chairman, My hopes for the future of MAN are a magazine in Spring 2006. I applied Cider Apple doubling of the MAN membership, and successfully took up the post, and Perry Pear some new members on the which has become much more than Group committee, and the further just a job. As the newest of the development of methods and present management team, Ten years ago I materials for passing on the skills of I am learning rapidly about the world bought a apple and pear appreciation and of apples. property with a identification to younger generations. I hope that MAN will reach more cider apple people, making links with children and orchard, and a Nicky Matcher, their parents, especially in this era of fortuitous meeting with John Worle of Publicity Officer environmental and food awareness Bulmers got me interested in cider awakening. I hope that we will be fruit. I joined MAN after speaking to I first became able to involve children in an members identifying apples at aware of MAN imaginative way in the development of Leominster. My interest in the cider visiting The the ‘Paramor Orchard’. varieties led to the start of the Cider Black Mountains group and I was elected to the Festival in Richard Committee in 2004. Talgarth. Wheeler, My hope is that MAN can continue to Webmaster and create interest in our apple heritage. I joined, hoping to access expertise CD Editor By branching out into production of and learn more about the apples in books and CDs we can appeal to a our old neglected orchard. I attended One of my wider public and inspire our some apple skills courses run with reasons for membership to take an active Glasu. I joined the committee nearly moving to part in the organization. three years ago and brought Herefordshire experience of working with community was to have my own orchard with a Diggory groups on practical environmental mixture of cider and pot fruit. It was Kempton, projects and event marketing. I know natural to join MAN to learn more Membership little about apples and I’m learning. about traditional varieties and then to Secretary The MAN committee is friendly, get more involved. I have tried to dedicated and knowledgeable. make myself useful both with the I saw the RHS The future? MAN’s expertise, like fine website and with the efforts to Fruit Show in old apple varieties, must not be digitally reprint old books on apples London which allowed to perish, enthusiastic and pears. With a background in marked the apprentices are needed. You? computing I hope that in the not too centenary of the distant future we will see programs to great Fruit help with orchard management and, Conference of more technically difficult than it may appear, identification. 11 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 The Brogdale apple collection at blossom time The Brogdale pear collection flowering

The Brogdale pear collection The Brogdale cherry collection

The photographs on this page were 12 kindly provided by Dr Alison Lean Marcher Apple Network BROGDALE: What is happening to the National Fruit Collections?

The photographs on the facing Brogdale Farm is now owned by commitment to retaining the NFC at page give some idea to those Hillreed Land, an investment and Brogdale and emphasised their who don’t know Brogdale, and development company, who bought it willingness to co-operate with DEFRA to from the Brogdale Horticultural Trust support the successful bidder. They are will serve to remind those who in 1999/2000. The land on which the reported to be spending £1million on do, of the importance of the NFC are planted is leased to DEFRA improving facilities to attract visitors collection of fruit varieties until 2016. and redeveloping appropriate conserved there. But in spite of commercial units. Presumably they their importance, it is still by no The Friends of Brogdale Horticultural would be prepared to provide suitable means certain that these Trust (Friends) is an active support accommodation for the successful group set up in 1990, now with a bidder to manage the NFC efficiently. collections will continue at membership of over 700, which Brogdale, and a number of supports BHT, both financially through In the end it probably depends on the the Friends of Brogdale subscriptions and by helping with Government (and us the tax-payers) Horticultural Trust have activities such as guided tours, events being prepared to fund the NFC in the established themselves as a and publicity. measure it deserves. Over fifty years campaigning group to try to of records, research and horticultural ensure that they do stay there. In spring 2007 a contract for expertise have gone into building up this management of NFC for a period of five wonderful collection at Brogdale. It Also, the cherry blossom picture years from May 2008 was put out to would seem shockingly wasteful to reminds us that apples and competitive tender by DEFRA. Options squander such an invaluable resource. pears are not the only fruit of keeping NFC at Brogdale or moving The decision by DEFRA about the award involved. Mike Porter reviews them to another site were included. of the contract will be announced in recent developments. There are thought to have been four early autumn 2007 or five bidders, including BHT who It has been quite a challenge for an submitted their bid in conjunction with STOP PRESS interested countryman to keep abreast Imperial College (Wye) and East Malling Joan Morgan has reported that DEFRA of events at Brogdale this year, let alone Research. has decided to issue a new specification evaluate their significance. When for the contract to maintain and curate planting began in 1952, the Ministry of It is thought that DEFRA advised that the National Fruit Collections. The Agriculture, precursor of the the plans of the various bidders should closing date for bids is 21st September Department of the Environment, remain confidential until the outcome is 2007. The new specification does not Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), had announced. However, a well-founded appear to differ significantly, but the full a Fruit Research Station at Brogdale rumour that the BHT bid might involve implications of the changes have not yet Farm, which managed the National moving NFC from Brogdale caused been fully assessed. The option to Fruit Trials. From these experimental consternation in the ranks of the move the collections from Brogdale has plantings the National Fruit Collections Friends, who also claim that they have been retained. Friends of National (NFC) developed. The Government not been kept adequately informed Fruit Collections at Brogdale has made closed down the Research Station in about the plans of BHT. At a Special a valiant effort to keep everyone aware 1989, but retained ownership of the General Meeting of the Friends in April of the changing situation. NFC and Brogdale Farm. DEFRA now 2007 the majority of those present Anyone interested can access funds the upkeep of the NFC through a voted to amend their constitution to [email protected] and sign a contract arrangement.. demonstrate that their support petition to keep the NFC at Brogdale. depended on the NFC remaining at The Brogdale Horticultural Trust Brogdale. They have since established Mike Porter (BHT), set up to manage the NFC, themselves as a campaigning bought Brogdale Farm in1990. Until organisation called the Friends of the April 2007 they occupied premises at National Fruit Collections at Brogdale. If you want to go into this subject in Brogdale where they had a plant centre, Thus there are now two organisations any greater detail, Joan Morgan’s offices, shop and tea room. They have of Friends at Brogdale! website and blog www.fruitforum.net now moved to another site nearby at which she has been running since Faversham. Their contract with DEFRA The owners of Brogdale, Hillreed Land, March this year is well worth a look. to manage the NFC expires in April through their chairman Tony Hillier, have 2008. expressed their wholehearted 13 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 NEWS OF OUR ORCHARDS

CROFT PENDARREN Last autumn Croft Pendarren orchard had its best harvest yet. Some trees cropped for the first time. Fruits from Marged Nicolas, Bridstow Wasp and Pig yr wydd were taken over to Margaret Gill to paint, so their portraits will be seen in the Welsh Marches Pomona. Pig yr wydd was blown over in one terrific gale, but it has been gently hauled back into a more upright position. Quite a lot of the older trees have fruit again this year. The owner is helping MAN to manage the cutting regime to control the bracken. Mike and Chris Porter

DONNINGTON There was a reasonable amount of blossom at Donnington this spring, and a prospect of a crop not as heavy as last year. The trees in the orchard are continuing to grow well. Ray Boddington

LOWER FFORDD-FAWR, near Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire Five years ago, this small nursery orchard site was established on a small-holding belonging to one of our members, David Pryce Goodwin. Some of the apples which we had located during surveys, or had received for identification, were grafted and planted on dwarfing rootstocks, in the hope that healthy young fruits would be easier to name than the small, often diseased specimens obtained from very old trees. A few varieties were grafted from scions obtained from Brogdale when we wished to have an example of a particular variety. These young trees were grafted on M9 rootstocks and some were soon bearing fruit. However, not all survived on this site, which tended to be stony and to dry out, and Paul Davis has begun using M27 for the more recent plantings. Replacements for some of the casualties were planted this spring and the site is now almost full. Sheila Leitch

TREDOMEN COURT, Llanfilo, Breconshire There was a good turnout in early December for the tutored pruning session led by Chris Fairs of Bulmers. Some major lopping was done on trees which had grown too tall for easy picking of fruit. Chris provided useful sets of notes for taking away and giving confidence to beginners pruning in their home gardens and orchards. Two more pruning sessions were held in the Spring, and trees which had died were removed and some planting was also done. A data base is being set up to record management at this site and, later, it will be extended to cover the other museum orchards. Sheila Leitch

WESTHOPE ORCHARD The autumn of 2006 saw the biggest crop of apples since the orchard was planted some 14 years ago. The full standard trees have achieved a good size, though this is not uniform throughout the orchard. Sam’s Crab was so weighed down with fruit that two branches snapped, in spite of some earlier thinning.Gascoyne’s Scarletwas a sight to behold with large and very colourful fruit. Annie Elizabeth was the same. Such was the abundance of fruit that juicing was an option and very good it was too. With John Aldridge’s help and pruning skills a number of the 15 trees were selected for some quite radical pruning. The rest will have the same attention next year. Peter Austerfield

CIDER APPLE AND PERRY PEAR GROUP Last year was not the best for the cider now been positively identified as a Green been suggested that this may be a apple crop. For some it was excellent Norman. Grafts have been taken and I variety called ‘Wellow’; however the only but for others a bad year. The cold am waiting to see if they are successful. reference to this name found so far is spring, followed by the dry hot summer, In addition to the Green Norman there is in the Tidnor Wood list of apples wanted meant that pollination was poor in some another very old tree which we cannot but not yet found. If anyone knows of this orchards and the dry summer resulted yet identify. The orchard owner has told name or a tree with similar growth in small apples in many of the old me that many years ago Mr George characteristics please contact me Once orchards. The grafts of last year’s Wood of Bulmers called it a “Willow again grafts have been taken and result discovery, Styre Wilding, unfortunately Norman”. The growth pattern is awaited. failed, however more have been done unusual in that the shoots at the ends of this year. branches tend to grow out at right In my search for “lost” cider apple angles to the main stem and then varieties I have tried the Internet. This Last year I mentioned an old tree in an branch again at right angles to form an has turned up a possible Eggleton Styre. orchard in the Golden Valley. This has almost square end to the branch. It has The tree nursery that stock it have told 14 Marcher Apple Network me that it has been imported from It is our continuing task to try and find unknown but was used for cider making, Tasmania. Given that their Mother tree ‘lost’ varieties. In addition, it is vital to may have a variety of interest. We has not yet produced fruit we cannot be find as many as possible of the varieties would like to hear from you. A brief certain if their identification is in line with introduced subsequent to the publication description of the tree and fruit would the apple described in The of the early Pomona, particularly those help. Herefordshire Pomona. A maiden tree grown on the Welsh side of the Richard Cheshire has been purchased and we may know Marches. Those of you who have some time in the future. ancient trees, the variety of which is WEBMASTER’S REPORT As webmaster I am never sure outcome of the “Open Source” . With hindsight we could have been whether to look at the large list of computer initiative – the committee more forceful about managing the things which could be done or to look have been stimulated to making their handover and training but, at the time, back at all the progress which has own IT arrangements for fear of having we did not want to rock the boat and been made. I am naturally a pessimist a different system imposed on them! lose the free computers. The benefit of and so would normally dwell on all the MAN now has a range of computer the project has been that all the MAN things which haven’t been done. But equipment for individual use as well as committee, bar one, is now on email. this year I will try to keep away from for exhibition purposes. The latest This has made communication of false promises for the future and will Vintage Fruit CD includes a slideshow – minutes, meeting agendas etc so much look back over the last five years. Yes, another reason for MAN to acquire a more efficient. But the use of Open it was five years ago that MAN burst projector now that prices are coming Source software has not taken off. upon cyberspace with its website. down to affordable levels whilst our Indeed, seven of our computers have Some nooks and crannies of the needs are rising to meet them. reverted to using Windows. website are little used but the List of Nurseries and the Events Diary remain The Open Source computer initiative At last, mainly thanks to Marie Ward, the most popular pages (as, I suppose, has proved somewhat of a our database initiative is moving they should). I could spend far too long disappointment. The MAN committee forward. We have prioritised our investigating just how the website is would make an excellent case study of limited resources towards an Orchard used – how many foreign visitors come how (not) to deliver new technology. Records database. By the time you to the website, how graphics designers Mistakes from the project sponsor read this we should have reviewed the concocted a joke within the photo include failing to deliver all the second version of the prototype. I am gallery and, currently, how another equipment, correctly configured, on day quite excited at the prospect of MAN joke(?) is currently being played out one; not having sufficiently directed having a useful tool to help with orchard over the fruit cages at Turnastone training and related reference material; management especially as it arrives Farm. But even webmasters need to not having adequate time to ensure with the purchase of the Paramor “get a life”. Five years ago I could only that everybody was set up in their own Orchard at Cwmdu. reliably email one committee member home with the internet connection and with news about the website. This year printing properly configured; and Richard Wheeler only one committee member is without making the support team redundant MAN Webmaster email and the majority are on before the project finished (!) Of [email protected] broadband. This is an unexpected course, MAN never makes mistakes. . HE’S GOT AN OLOGY In fact, he’s got two. You may have collecting. Beer mats were introduced in noticed in recent newsletters that the 1920s and ever since then grown Richard Wheeler has let it be known men have indulged themselves by that, with particular reference to apples collecting them’. Or in his case, cider and pears, he is into deltiology (postcard and perry mats. The example illustrated collecting) and also tegestology. . ? Yes, here is from the Herefordshire cider and you may well ask. The answer, in Richard’s perry maker, Westons. own words is, ‘A posh word for beer mat

15 Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 A VERY HAPPY LIFE: Founders of Man: Ray Boddington

If any one person can be called singing, notably the Three Choirs the inventor of the Marcher Festival, of which I was Apple Network, it has to be Ray Secretary/Administrator at Hereford for twelve years, and Secretary of the Boddington, Herefordian, Festival’s Association for another five, musician and apple enthusiast. with close involvement in the running of Here, in Ray’s own words, is the the Choral Society, including seven account he provided when Tony years as its Chairman. All this came Malpas asked him about his long to an end in 1990, as did my close life and his part in the setting up involvement with Hereford Civic Trust, when I developed angina. of MAN. Apples I have enjoyed a very happy life, What did I think about then? When my extending to 80 years. My parentage mother lived at Holmer, after the War, was partly Lancastrian, partly of the Derbyshire (£70 per term) – and, her newly built house lay in part of an south of England. My father farmed having sold up at Peterchurch, we led old orchard where grew a fine fruit at Burghill, just north of Hereford, a somewhat peripatetic existence for Warner’s King plus a King of the but sold up when I was nine years of much of the War, ameliorated not least Pippins and a Wellington (Dumelow). age, following the memorably by the Bulmer family – Mrs Percy and When my elder sister and her husband disastrous late frost of 1934. I recall her son, Howard, with whom we stayed returned from colonial service in what a number of trophies won for the in 1941. Little more than a year later is now Ghana, their Ledbury house lay quality of his apples and later learnt my elder brother, Robert, disappeared in a well-established orchard containing that there had been regular contact on war service with his submarine, Rival, Winston, Peasgood’s Nonesuch, with the Long Ashton research which has never been traced. His son, Cox’s Pomona, Golden Noble, establishment. Just previously I had Christopher, now retired, cultivates Monarch, Hector Macdonald and narrowly escaped death from apples at his house in France, and is a several others. In my own garden I peritonitis which left me a rather member of MAN. have Annie Elizabeth, Charles Ross, delicate schoolboy for a number of Lord Lambourne and a mystery apple years. Education and Employment that might just be Granges Pearmain. At the end of the War, my mother Childhood bought a house in Holmer – which is My footsteps towards MAN In the meantime we moved to Hinton part of Hereford – and I, after a brief It started in the summer of 1990 when Hall, Peterchurch, in the Golden Valley. spell as a Naval rating – most of it I had to give up my Three Choirs work. One couldn’t imagine a more magical spent in what is now Sri Lanka – was Having had my father’s copy of The place to pass one’s later childhood with accepted for Brasenose College, Herefordshire Pomona passed on to the aid of a bicycle. The “South Wales Oxford, where I took a degree in me by my mother when she was Express” – as it was known among the Modern History. Returning home, I moving house, I occasionally looked at family – ran along almost the bottom of joined the firm of H&G Thynne, tile the printed plates and wondered if our garden, three times a day (one makers at Holmer and Withington, there was any means around for tank locomotive, one carrriage, three living with my mother until I married. tracing these old varieties. As a trucks and a guardsvan) between Hay On the demise of that company, I was member of the Herefordshire branch and Pontrilas. Very rural – elderly offered employment by Henry Wiggin – of the National Council for the ladies to whom I spoke had only been to Wiggin Alloys – a large company for Conservation of Plants and Gardens, Hereford three times in their lives and Hereford at that time, where I (Chairman, the late George Clive Esq) I once to Cheltenham! remained until 1984 with responsibility found myself accompanying the late for technical information and Stanley Baldock – their official Fruit World War II information retrieval systems. Collator – in the latter stages of setting This idyllic state of existence ended in up the collection of ‘rare varieties’ at 1940 (with the War) when my father Music Berrington Hall, National Trust. Later died, very young, and my mother was Being of a musical disposition and that autumn, my wife Norma and I left with three children to educate – I always based in Hereford, I have spent happened to be mooching around Hay- had just started at Repton, in much of my leisure time in choral on-Wye, she in pursuit of the possible 16 Marcher Apple Network antiques bargain, when my eye fell on orchards, Sheila calling on Mike and honoured me by making me Chairman Stirling Castle displayed in a Christine Porter, who came over from – not that I knew very much about greengrocer’s window. I just Llangynidr (Crickhowell), and I bringing apples, seriously, - and we went on purchased half-a-dozen saying that I along Stan Baldock plus John Aldridge, from there. What geographical area was interested in tracing old apple whom I had met, I think, at Big Apple’s should we belong to, since we were all varieties and would look them up in a annual meeting at Putley, near Ledbury. scattered about? That’s it! – the Welsh special book that I had (the Harry There we came across Tom Froggatt Marches! – so that ‘MAN’ came to Baker/Rosanne Sanders book which from Ashford Carbonel, who very soon represent our several situations and Norma had picked up on a stall when took on as Treasurer. was non – exclusive in scope, even if it we were mooching, again, in Dunkeld did conjure up an image of (rusty) chain (Central Highlands) two years How did I become aware of the mail and the swish of arrows! (John previously). Anyway, the man picked up Marcher Apple Network? liked to say,” Watch your back, Ray” his phone and spoke to Sheila Leitch, Well, it originated in my head. When when we drove across the border by that there was an “apple enthusiast” in we realised we might be eligible for the Rhydspence. His background was his shop, gave me her address, and I public funding, we were advised to set closer to Covent Garden, I believe). was on my way to Wye View, . up a formal organisation so that we I believe these links – like a good That soon gave rise to meetings there, could apply for grant aid such as the marriage – are made in heaven! and expeditions to surrounding Prince of Wales Trust. The group Ray Boddington MISCELLANY Friends in High Places pleased that we shall still be able to call website, at. Amazing how many apple and pear upon him for the printing of our flyers www.marcherapple.net/news.htm . enthusiasts have an interest in and other papers from time to time. The National Orchard Forum. The mountain climbing and hill walking. Our Acknowledgements Summer 2007, Issue 10 Newsletter Network Co-ordinator, Sheila, and our Grateful thanks to all who have is now available. Information about this Chairman, Peter, have both spent time contributed articles and photographs most useful compilation can be seen on at high altitudes, Peter most recently for inclusion in this newsletter, the NOF website www.nat-orchard- in the Andes earlier this year (See his especially to David Gill, for the forum.org.uk Or write to the Editor, photograph on page 10). Next, our photographs with captions of members Ann Smith, NOF, 109 Orchard Way, President, Sir Andrew, is going to climb of the Paramor family, to Lloyd Lewis Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2AP, Tel. Kilimanjaro, and, in doing so, raise for the digital photograph of the 1882 01452–855677. money for Marie Curie Cancer Care OS map of Cwmdu, and to Dr Alison and Penmaes School, Brecon (for Spring News Sheet 2008 Lean for the photographs of Brogdale. children with special needs). If you Items for the News Sheet are would like to support what he is doing, welcome. Brief notices of spring and Finally, to Steve Bowgen for the design or just to know more about it, see summer events can be included, and and layout of this newsletter, and to the www.climbkiliwithus.com should be sent to the Editor, Sheila Orphans Press, Leominster, for much Leitch, at Wye View, Glasbury-on-Wye, helpful advice and assistance, very via HEREFORD HR3 5NU, many thanks. Telephone No 01497 847354. Regrets, we have a few, . . . Contributions, preferably on disc, to Because this has been a special Sheila Leitch, or, by email, celebration issue, it has not been via Marie Ward, at possible to include a number of articles [email protected]. Items and reports which members and should arrive no later than the end of correspondents have kindly submitted. February 2008. So to Tony Gentil for his Fruit Notes, to APPLES AND PEARS AFALAU A PÊR John Clarke for his Spotted Flycatcher Autumn 2007 Volume 2 No1 is the James Bailey Survey 2006, and to Anne Newsletter of Marcher Apple Network Shepherdson for Clunton Scrumpers Thanks to James Bailey Charity No 1095151 Company No 2006, to Christopher Boddington for With the change in our publishing 3787303 Regd Office: Ashford Mill, his report from France on Ancient arrangements, this is a good moment Ashford Carbonel, Ludlow, SY8 4BT © Apple Varieties in the Tarn, and to to say Many Thanks to James Bailey,of Marcher Apple Network, Rhydwaith others who have kindly offered articles Compuprint, Kilpeck, MAN member, Afalau’r Gororau. and very patient and efficient printer of and reports, many thanks, and sorry our newsletters over the years, almost there wasn’t room. from the beginning. We wish him all But the good news is . . . the best for the future, and are very You can see their articles on the Marcher Apple Network

Apples & Pears Autumn 2007 Available from the Marcher Apple Network

The Herefordshire Pomona CD, The Vintage Fruit CD contains 290 produced by Richard Wheeler for the separate descriptions of cider and Marcher Apple Network, contains 107 descriptions of perry pears, copies of all the 77 coloured all taken from hard to obtain plates from The Herefordshire reference works, namely Pomona Pomona, originally published by Herefordiensis, also known as the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Knight’s Pomona, complete with Club of Herefordshire in 1885. its 30 colour plates, The Apple The corresponding sections and and Pear as Vintage Fruits by text descriptions of the 432 Hogg and Bull (illustrated by varieties of fruit illustrated on the 12 colour plates from The plates are included, as are the Herefordshire Pomona) the lists of local cider apples and research papers by Ray Williams and pears and the lists of varieties others in Perry Pears and ‘Cider Apples which the Woolhope Club Prices £16.00 per copy, and their Characters’, and Bulmer’s recommended for planting. including postage and packing in the UK. Pomona, including its 35 colour plates.

System Requirements These CDs each contain a “website on a CD” for use on as wide a range of computers as possible. You need just a CD drive and a graphical web browser (such as Internet Explorer). No additional software is required. Some of the colour plates are quite large and are best viewed on a large (high resolution) screen. On smaller screens you may need to scroll to see all of each plate.

Also published by the Marcher Apple Network

Apples of the Welsh Marches by Marcher Apple Network, with photographs by Michael Porter.

Back Numbers of the MAN Full Colour Postcard Reproductions Newsletter If you are new to MAN (or This first publication by MAN describes Seven plates from The Herefordshire if MAN is new to you) you may wish to 55 old varieties of apples cultivated in Pomona have been chosen for this first catch up with the past and purchase the traditional orchards of the West pack of seven full colour postcards from some or all of the Newsletters 1 to 12 Midlands and the neighbouring parts of MAN. In postcard format (6'' x 4'') the which comprise the now completed Wales. Twenty four further varieties front features the plate and the reverse Volume 1. Many of the articles in this are described, which, though not in is printed with names of the fruits volume contain advice and ideas which most cases originating in the Marcher illustrated. There are three plates of have stood the test of time and still Apple Network region, have been apples, two of pears and one each of make an interesting read. extensively grown here in the past and cider apples and perry pears. Prices Nos 1 to 6 (1995 to 2000): are still to be found in local farm Price £3.50 per pack, plus 50p post and £4.00, Nos 7 to 12 (2001 to orchards. packing for up to two packs, thereafter PLUS 2006): £7.00, All 12: £10.00, all Price £5.00 inc p and p in the UK. 15p per pack including p and p in the UK.

MAN Library List An up to date list of all the publications in the MAN Library, managed by Sheila Leitch. Price £2.00 inc p and p in the UK.

To Order Preferably download an order form from www.marcherapple.net/books.htm or write to Diggory Kempton, The Membership Secretary, Marcher Apple Network, Brook House, Hopesay, CRAVEN ARMS, Shropshire, SY7 8HD. Cheques should be made payable to Marcher Apple Network. Wholesale price list on request.

Marcher Apple Network

printed by ORPHANS PRESS 01568 612460