Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceYorkshire information
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Yorkshire information
The Northern Fruit Group is made up of retired horticulturalists with a wealth of knowledge and experience. They are carrying out surveys in parts of the northern counties such as Whitby, and keep up to date with developments in fruit breeding and growing. The fruit group has three learning facilities to continue their hands on work and research: Harewood House demonstration fruit garden and apple and pear tree collection, Huddersfield Allotment to used to demonstrate of traditional allotment fruit growing, and Hexthorpe Allotments in Doncaster which is being developed into a nursery for Yorkshrie varieties, and demonstration garden for domestic fruit growing. Simon Clark of the NFG has created the Apple Key as an aid to identification of varieties. This can be downloaded from a page of the National Orchard Forum web-site. The Group offers a leaflet "suggested Fruit Cultivars for the North". Contact the Northern Fruit Group Secretary, Simon Clark on simonclark49 [at] tiscali.co.uk
NFTalso run the Yorkshire Fruit into Yorkshire Schools scheme helping schools to source and plant Yorkshire varieties of fruit trees. Contact +44(0)1302 719477 or YFITYS [at] hotmail.co.uk
Abundance: Urban Fruit Harvest Sheffield, Anne-Marie Culhane, +44(0)784 907 3394) mail [at] amculhane.co.uk www.growsheffield.com / pages / groShefAbund.html
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
The Yorkshire Apple Collection, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. In November 2001, 16 Yorkshire varieties were planted by members of the Northern Fruit Group: Fillingham Pippin, Yorkshire Beauty (left), New Bess Pool, Sharleston Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Charlestown Pippin, Yorkshire Aromatic, Flower of the Town, Nancy Jackson, Hunt House, Yorkshire Cockpit, Dog's Snout, Grandpa Buxton, Green Balsam, Yorkshire Greening, Acklam Russet. Contact the Northern Fruit Group’s Secretary Simon Clark on simonclark49 [at] tiscali.co.uk
Ampleforth Abbey Orchards are situated a few minutes south of Helmsley adjacent to Ampleforth Abbey and College, halfway between the villages of Ampleforth and Oswaldkirk. They have produced apples for over a hundred years. More than 65 varieties (many of them good old and regional, like Ribston Pippin) are grown using natural techniques. The orchards are open to visitors and customers from late July to November most working days between 2.30pm-4.00pm (please check beforehand on +44(0)1439 766899 for up-to-date information.) During the flowering season (late April to May) visitors are invited to enjoy the bloom,
Beighton Orchard (left, photo with permission from Sally Pereira), Robin Lane, Sheffield (follow footpath adjacent to Beighton Methodist Church for 30m, entrance to orchard through large stainless steel gates on left). A 0.3ha area land belonging to Sheffield City Council was turned into a community educational resource and wild life haven from 2004. Several half standard fruit trees estimated at 70-80years old were restored and much of the area cleared of brambles. The trees are apple, plum, pear and damson with existing apple varieties: Ellison’s orange, Bramley, Worcester Pearmain, Monarch, Annie Elizabeth, Charles Ross, Epicure, Laxton’s Superb, Fortune and Newton Wonder. And newly planted varieties: Lamb’s Seedling, Orleans Reinette, Ashmead’s kernel, bess Pool, Fortune, Margil, Pitmaston Pineapple, Beeley Pippin, Adams Pearmain, Egremont Russet and Ribston Pippin. Some of the new trees were chosen to match the existing varieties. The area is surrounded by hedgerow which has been professionally laid to increase security and wild life value. The trees are being grafted and budded to provide the next generation. Highland cattle are brought in to graze from June to August. Invasive species such as bindweed, goosegrass and bramble are being sustainably managed with no chemicals used. Log piles are left for wild life, bird boxes and feeding stations have been erected, wildflowers planted and an ecological survey is underway. Tawny owls, foxes, woodmice and a wide variety of birds (including a parakeet), butterflies and other insects have been noted. The stainless steel gates especially commissioned show bronze images of these creatures, on the inside. The apples are picked by the local community on organized days, some are distributed to local primary schools linking with their Harvest Festivals, to local residents and also given away at Apple Day, with some apples left for wild life. The City Council Environmental planning Dept was responsible for co-ordinating the project, with partners Beighton Environment group, Sheffield Landscape Trust and two local primary schools as well as with expert guidance from Julian Brandram of Sheffield. Local schools have been involved in creative days writing songs for the orchard about apples and blossom as well as learning willow weaving, wood turning etc. There is a school Apple day followed by a community Apple Day each year. There are also workshops for the community including willow weaving and bushcraft. In the future an educational trail is planned. Access only during organised events. Contact: Sally Pereira, Countryside Planning Officer, Environmental Planning, Sheffield City Council, 5th Floor, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield S1 2SH
Beningbrough Hall & Gardens (National Trust), Beningbrough, YO30 1DD. Home to one of the largest collections of apples, pears, cherries and plums within a National Trust walled garden. Sample the fruit in dishes served in the restaurant. Visit their Apple Day. Contact +44(0)1904 470666 for details.
Bowling Park Community Orchard, Bowling Park Allotments, Bowling Park Drive, Bradford BD4. Grid ref SE168314 on OS Landranger 104. An orchard planted in 2003 on 20m x 60m of underused plots within a large allotments site owned by Bradford Met District Council. In 2006 many of the plots are still unused. Part of Bradford YMCA called BEES (Bradford Environmental Education Service) were the instigators and continue to organise work days and events at the orchard. They are developing a Friends group to be responsible in the future. Local schools and volunteers from the BEES conservation group helped in its creation and the latter are now members of the friends group. 27 trees were planted around half are standard and half are half-standard, plus 3 espaliers and 8 cordons. Culinary and dessert apples, plums, pears and quince as well as soft fruit. Varieties of apple include: Allington Pippin, Ashmead’s Kernel, Belle de Boskoop, Blenheim Orange, Bramley’s Seedling, Brownlee’s Russet, Charles Ross, Cockpit Improved, Court Pendu Plat, Discovery, Dog’s Snout, Egremont Russet, Fortune, Granpa Buxton, Howgate Wonder, Hunthouse Pippin, irish Peach, James Grieve, Katy, Keswick Codling, Kidd’s Orange Red, Lane’s Prince Albert, Lord Lambourne, Peesgood Nonsuch, Pitmaston Pineapple, Ribston Pippin, Sunset, Tydeman’s Late Orange and Winston; Plus pears: Beth, Beurre Hardy, Concorde, Conference and Hessle; a quince; and plums: Victoria, Czar and greengage. Apples are used for Apple Day, held since 2005. Blossom Days and school visits have been organised, although other than on organised open days, access is limited to plotholders and the allotment gates are locked. A mixed native hedge was planted in 2002 and this may be layed in the future. To increase biodiversity, wildflowers are being introduced, insect refuges created and no chemicals are being used. Contact: Julia Pearson, c/o BEES, YMCA, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JG, +44(0)1274 741223 (work), bees[at]bradford.ymca.org.uk plus a little information at www.bees-ymca.org.uk
Cannon Hall Museum near Barnsley, owns an historic pear tree collection comprising 48 trees of 30 different varieties grown in a walled garden built in 1760, 43 of which are grown against walls. Open all year, free. Pear Day is celebrated there every year in September. Contact David Haigh, Cannon Hall Museum, Cawthorne, Barnsley, +44(0)1226 790270.
Carfield Farm Orchard, Meersbrook Allotments, Meersbrook, Sheffield, S8. An orchard of local varieties planted on unused plots at Meersbrook Allotments on land previously owned by Carfield Farm. A group of volunteers, the Friends of Heeley & Meersbrook Allotments was formed in spring 2001 to contest plans from Sheffield City Council to sell the farm for housing development. Their fight was successful and the group now maintain Meersbrook’s five allotments. The orchard was the group’s first idea and since then the project has taken off with the creation of a large herb bed, rebuilding of all the drystone walls and the erection of a willow bird hide. There are monthly workdays. Apple Day is celebrated annually and cider made at the 2007 event will be tasted at the group’s 2008 AGM. Contact: paulinelord[at]blueyonder.co.uk or see www.carfieldfarm.ik.com
Castle Garth Orchard, Cawood, North Yorkshire. Castle Garth is a 12th century motte and bailey in the centre of Cawood village, land owned by the Parish Council. It was once the palace of the Archbishop of York. There is a remnant apple orchard at the castle and there are plans to get the trees identified. Money was given by the Local Heritage Initiative in 2006 for survey work on the monument by English Heritage to include local participation. Archaeological and nature trail leaflets were produced with help from local people, and interpretation boards erected. Much interest in the village has been generated about the planned survey, identification and mapping and work is due to start in 2008. An ABC of local distinctiveness was also created by the village. Contact: Mrs G Hodgson, Clerk to Arkholme and Cawood Parish Council OR Keith Emerick, English Heritage Momuments Inspector, Keith.Emerick[at]english-heritage.org.uk
Ecclesfield Community Orchard. Planted in 1996 in a corner of Ecclesfield municipal park this small orchard contains 40 apple trees, cared for by the Wildlife Trust. Some of the trees have been sponsored or dedicated in the memory of local people. There is a fruit hedge along the gardens side of the orchard. Local school children have planted over 1050 meadow plants along a path verge and bird and bat boxes have been erected in an adjacent row of lime trees. Contact Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Wood Lane House, 52 Wood Lane, Sheffield, S6 5HE, +44(0)114 231 0120.
Harewood House, Leeds LS17 9LG. Collection of Northern varieties of apple and pear being assembled by the Northern Fruit Group with 25 varieties so far. Contact +44(0)113 218 1010 or see their website
From March 2002 Hemsley Walled Garden near Thirsk became the home of 50 or so varieties of apples that hail from the north of England. Propagated by the Northern Fruit Group and planted in the Millennium vegetable garden as espaliers, cordons and stepovers. Helmsley Walled Garden, Cleveland Way, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5AH, (01439 771427) or see their website
Leeshall Community Orchard, Gleadless Valley, Sheffield. An old farm orchard once part of Leeshall Farm, which was demolished in the 1950s. There are four large apple trees of unknown varieties. The land is owned by Sheffield City Council and managed by Sheffield Wildlife Trust and there is full public access. Grass and scrub which was blocking the path has been cut back, and hedges in the area are being layed. The fruit is collected by hand with ladders and used for tasting and to make juice on Apple Day, held since 2006. There have also been school visits and guided walks. Contact: Moira Walker, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, 37 Stafford Road, Sheffield S2 2SF, +44(0)114 263 4335, m.walker[at]wildsheffield.com
Millennium Orchard, Beverley Parks, Old Hall Farm, Shepherd Lane, Beverley. The Millennium Orchard is part of Beverley Parks Local Nature Reserve. One hectare of orchard was planted in 1998-9 as part of a project to mark the Millennium organised by the East Yorkshire Federation of Women’s Institutes aided by the East Riding Council Countryside Access Team, the Northern Fruit Group and RSPB. The land is owned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and day to day responsibility lies with the Millennium Orchard Committee. A Local Heritage Initiative grant of £25,000 is being used to create better access, interpretation panels, entrance boards, leaflets and a website as well as training days to teach orchard skills over a two year period from 2007-8. There are eighty standard trees of 37 culinary and dessert apple varieties including local apples Hornsea Herring, Fillingham Pippin, Cockpit, Hunthouse Pippin and Ribston Pippin, the others being northern varieties that will grow well in the local conditions. The orchard is sheltered by plantings of rowan, hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, hazel and wild cherry trees which has improved the habitat for small mammals, butterflies and insects. The adjacent field has four beehives cared for by Beverley Bee Keepers. Areas of grass are kept long and undisturbed and one hedge has been layed and others are left uncut. There are owl and kestrel boxes and the RSPB feed and monitor the bird populations. The Park has been accredited with a Forestry Stewardship Council certificate because it reaches their strict environmental, social and economic criteria. The fruit is picked by the WI and used for tastings and sold at Apple Day, held since 2000. There have also been orchard management training days, budding days, grafting days and school visits. Contact: Elaine Watson, East Yorkshire Federation of Women’s Institutes, +449)01482 860626, eyfwi[at]eyfwi.karoo.co.uk OR Chris Toohie, Countryside Access Officer at East Riding Council, Westgarth, Mill Street, Driffield YO25 6TS, +44(0)1482 395209, chris.toohie[at]estriding.cov.uk or see www.millenniumorchard.org.uk
Nature’s World at the Botanic Centre, Acklam nr Middlesborough. The orchard was created in 1995, planted in concentric circles with 157 varieties with apples on the two outer rings, then pears and plums in the centre. All of the trees have been sponsored by local people and this covered the cost of establishing the orchard. An experimental cider orchard was also planted to see how well cider apples might grow in the north east which has proved very successful. They hold regular Apple Day events as well as fruit tree pruning workshops. Contact +44(0)1642 594895 or see their web-site.
Nethersthorpe & Upper Thorpe Community Orchard, Sheffield. This orchard is being created as a part of a larger woodland planting on an area of neglected open space in Sheffield. The local environment group lobbied the local authority who own the land to gain control of the land and transform it from wasteland to woodland including many fruit trees.
Nunnington Hall (National Trust), Nunnington, YO62 5UY. They began planting a new orchard of varieties of apples known to have grown in Ryedale in 1984, plus local pears. Visit their Apple Day. Contact +44(0)1439 748283.
Oakwell Hall Country Park Orchard, Nutter Lane, Burstall, WF16 9LG. Contact Richard Aspinall, +44(0)1924 326240.
Parcevall Hall, Skyrehome, Appletreewick, Skipton, Yorkshire BD23 6DG. Local apples in an orchard dating from the 1930s and a new collection planted in the 1980s. Contact +44(0)1756 720311 or see their website
Pickering Community Orchard, Pickering Road, Hull. The Hull & East Riding Public Health Development have worked with Kingston Upon Hull City Council to plant a Community Orchard to provide fruit for local residents. In 2003, 50 local residents planted 85 apple, cherry, pear and plum trees on underused allotment land. The total is now 200 trees (2005), and 200 more are planned. The existing trees are cared for by local residents. Contact: 5 A Day Co-ordinator, Public Health Development Team Hull & East Riding PCTs, Health House, Grange Park Lane, Willerby, HU10 6DT, +44(0)1482 672110.
Ponderosa Community Orchard (photo with permission from Richard Clare), Crookes Valley, NW Sheffield. The Ponderosa Environment Group was founded in 1990 and planted a community orchard of over 38 apple and plum trees and 150 hazel trees for coppicing between 1992-1994 on open space among high rise flats. There were several old apple trees already in the area. The group is dedicated to improving 15 acres of council-owned urban open space that has existed since houses were cleared in the 1950s and 60s. Many local people attended the group’s consultation meetings and 180 people joined. £4000 was obtained from the Council's Community Chest and some other money was raised. The orchard and woodland were planted along a bank of the Ponderosa leaving the flat grassed area for games and events. Four acres of native woodland were also planted and ten ‘rustic’ wooden benches provided as well as other basic amenities. In 1995 PEG planted more fruit trees and 10,000 daffodils and 2,000 croci bulbs all over the site alongside paths and amongst trees. A number of native hazels and cultivars near the orchard and on the south Bank were also added in a "Nutters Day" in December of that year by PEG members, the City Council Countryside Management Unit and local people and students from Sheffield Environmental Training. In the 1960s the area was a bare open bowl but much appreciated and used by the local community for games and community events. The name 'Ponderosa'' came from the name of the ranch in the 1960s Television series Bonanza, which local people felt had a similar appearance to their own green space. The name is importance and recognized in the local community and was used in a campaign to prevent housing development on the land in 1993. The Ponderosa designated as Open Space in the 1993 SCC Unitary Development Plan. PEG has extended its activities to include the cultivation of 12 organic allotments and a one acre kitchen garden (at Unstone Grange). They provide advice, support and encouragement to hundreds of local people, including site-surveys and ongoing help, and operate several mutual aid schemes including a tools bank, a weekly compost delivery, seed bank, bulk seed and fertiliser orders and shared fruit stock orders. Members of the group are also members of SOFI, the Sheffield Organic Food Initiative. Contact: Ponderosa Environment Group, +44(0)114 268 6813 Or Richard Clare on 07771832759.
Poppleton Millennium Green & Orchard, Poppleton. An orchard planted in 2001 as part of the Millennium Green opposite St Everilda’s Church. Yew trees were also planted to mark the millennium, an events meadow has been left at the centre, seating, bicycle racks, gates installed.
Reeth Community Orchard (left), next to Hudson House, Reeth. A small old orchard once in the private garden of Hudson House, which became Barclays Bank. The bank closed and the building became a Community Resource Centre, National Park office and Council offices. The garden was adopted in 2001 by the Reeth Community Orchard Group on a five-year renewable lease from the owners Hudson House Ltd. There are three tall apple trees thought to be about seventy years old, a Newton Wonder, Keswick Codling and Bramley, plus damson trees and a golden gage. Nine more half standard apple trees have been planted and 24 trained apple trees against the surrounding 9ft stone walls. Varieties were chosen for their suitability to the situation with help from the Northern fruit Group and RV Roger Nursery in Pickering. The new trees have been planted in meadow, cut annually with the cuttings used for animal feed. The rest of the grass area is cut more regularly. There is a bird feeding station, bird bath and bird nesting boxes. There is an annual apple picking event in late September attended by Orchard Group members, ad local families. The fruit is sold at the orchard gate using a donations box, and sold and made into bakes and preserves for Apple Day. This income and a members subscription means the orchard is sustainable. There are work days for pruning, composting and mulching, haymaking and general maintenance. The Group also have a plant stall each year and are part of the Swaledale festival. The ‘Old Priory’ building has been restored and is used as an exhibition area. A small hut acts as an information point. There is a living willow sculpture and specially commissioned, locally made seating. The orchard is open during daylight hours. It is near the village green, houses, shops, pubs and tea shops. Contact: Gill Hayes, Chair Reeth Community Orchard Group, +44(0)1748 884542
Royds Hall Community Orchard (left, photo with permission frm Julian Faulkner), off Luck Lane, Paddock, Huddersfield HD1 4QX. An orchard planted on disused allotments in 2005/6 by Kirklees Metropolitan Council Countryside Unit with allotment holders and children from Royds Hall High School. The area is surrounded by housing and back gardens and close to the High School. Allotment holders will be trained in orchard management by the Council’s Social Forestry Officer. The orchard is of standard, widely spaced apple trees, some of Yorkshire varieties. The grass sward is mowed by allotment holders, an adjoining area has been planted as coppice and a hedge of mixed native species established. There are plans for an Apple Day events and training days at the orchard. Contact: Julian Faulkner, Social Forestry Officer, Kirklees Countryside Unit, The Stadium, Huddersfield HD1 6PG, +44(0)1484 234083, julian.faulkner[at]kirklees.gov.uk
St Nicholas Fields, York Environment Centre, Bull Lane, York YO10 3EN. St Nicholas Fields (or St Nick's) is a 24-acre Local Nature Reserve, owned by the City of York Council and managed by a local community group ‘The Friends of St Nicholas Fields’. It stands on a former landfill site one mile from the city centre of York in between an industrial area and housing estate. The landfill waste was capped with clay in the early 1990's. The northern area has many fruit trees resulting from apple and pear cores thrown away in household rubbish. The fruit has been tested and is safe for eating and the fruit is picked by local people for pies, jellies and jams. The fruit trees stand among ash, alder and hawthorns and attracts large numbers of blackbirds and bullfinches. Many birds nest or regularly feed in the reserve as a whole including Finches, Brambling, Tits, Kingfisher and Siskin. Over 20 species of Butterfly have been recorded along the Butterfly walk including Common Blue, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. The York Environment Centre is located on the edge of the Reserve and offers environmental education courses, kerbside recycling collection, home composting advice and other services to the local community and beyond. Contact: York Environment Centre, Bull Lane, York YO10 3EN, +44(0)1904 411821, info[at]stnicksfields.org.uk or see www.stnicksfields.org.uk
Thwaite Mills, Thwaite Lane, Stourton, Leeds has its own orchard. Contact: +44(0)113 276 2887, Contact: amyward [at] leeds. gov. uk or see their web-site.
York Environmental Community Centre, St Nicholas Fields, York stands in a Local Nature Reserve grown over a municipal dump from the 1950s. Apple trees have grown from pips in the rubbish, and are now celebrated with an annual Apple day. Contact: +44(0)1904 411821, e-mail: info [at] stnicksfields. org. uk or see their web-site.
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Yorkshire Orchards Ltd, of White House Farm, Bolton Lane, Wilberfoss . Established in 2002 and now growing over 100 different apple varieties, they aim to offer the consumer a wide choice of varieties and flavours with their specialist apples. They grow a wide range of culinary as well as dessert apples, plus cider and crab apples, and also grow pears and plums in small quantities, and produce jams from their own fruit. Buy online, visit by appointment only. For more information please call +44(0)1759 380375 or find out more on their website
Garden House Damson Cheese (left) made by Jane and Ray Davies, The Garden House, Anvil Square, Reeth, nr Richmond DL11 6TE. Their damson cheese, made from damsons from their orchard and sugar, is contained in specially made pottery. Available from their village shop, and now also by mail order, +44(0)1748 884188, or see their web-site.
Pipkin Cider, Cherry Tree Cottage, Strait Lane, Huby, North Yorkshire LS17 0EA, +44(0)1423 734934.
Saxon Cider, La Cantina, Unit 4B, Saxonmill, 218 Bradford Road, Batley Carr WF17 6JF, +44(0)1924 457979.
'Ryedale Local Food Directory' from York & Ryedale Friends of the Earth. Contact +44(0)1653 696748.
Amarsys Ltd of York are working with DEFRA to research the viability of local supply chains for the produce of local orchards. Find out more on their web-site.
Wilfra Apple Cake - made with double crust apple
Wensleydale Cheese Pie
Leek & Cockpit Quiche - see The Apple Source Book from Common Ground .
R.V. Roger Ltd, The Nurseries, Pickering, YO18 7HG. They stock around 80 varieties of apples plus pears, plums, cherries and nuts, and can advise on planting and growing. Call +44(0)1751 472226 or visit their web-site.
