I read somewhere the other day that although it's very warm, there is a feeling of Autumn in the air due to the colour of the leaves on trees changing from green to autumnal shades of yellow/brown.
The extreme heat this summer has put pressure on all trees as they search for moisture.
Now in mid August with early apples already marketed, we look forward to September when the apples like Gala will begin to be harvested for long term storage. The thought's of The National Fruit Show in early November (5th) enter the mindset!
On Friday I spent time with Nigel Bardsley, an old friend of mine and one who, in the recent past, I have titled "one of my young friends" well he is now in his sixties and like so many of my "young friends" has reached that landmark age which when I was a young man, signalled the approach of 'old age' but now in 2025 can for many be a launchpad for new ventures!
After a long and distinguished career as one of the leading growers he has now taken on the Chairmanship of The National Fruit Show an institution that his father John and mother Betty embraced for so many years. Betty was the architect of showing fruit and won so many trophies before coaching her daughter-in-law Annette in the art of producing show samples of the highest quality.
In 2023 the British apple and pear industry faced a "annus horribilis" with inflation in every aspect of inputs and an intransigent retail sector maintaining a downward pressure on fruit prices back to the growers. This led to wide spread depression within the growing and supply sector.
As a result in 2023 The National Fruit Show which had been developing as an increasingly larger and more complex event, sadly suffered badly from this overall depression and lack of grower attendance.
Drastic action was taken by the Marden Fruit Show Trustees (parent body) and a new format for 2024 initiated!
Nigel Bardsley with a history steeped in The National Fruit Show was elected as Chairman tasked with organising a smaller one day show but maintaining the "core principals" of a show for growers to celebrate the best of British apples and pears!
River Farm - Friday morning - Coffee & Conversation
In our conversation Nigel emphasised his desire to maintain the fruit show heritage initiated back in 1933 with the first show being a celebration of British apples and pears highlighted by a central display of show fruit entered by a plethora of growers.
This competition focused on the pride of growers as they competed for the honours of trophies for the many classes. As a result the display became a 'pride of place' showpiece
Nigel praised the organisers of the 2023 show for what he said was "great event" and had matched expectation for the landmark 90th show, but said the costs had been high, prompting a hard look at the way forward.
"I was determined that it should continue, as I have been convinced for many years of the immense value of the National Fruit Show as a shop window for UK apples and pears," he explained.
"I believe in the show, and I was prepared to do everything I could to make it a great show, but I wanted to bring it back to basics, not just to reduce the costs but to give more growers the opportunity to attend and to make sure we were focusing on the apples and pears that are at its heart."
The 'back to basics' decision for 2024 meant no show dinner, juice or cider competitions, and while judges will still be looking for the heaviest apple, they would no longer be trying to find the tastiest.
Our conversation
Over coffee Nigel continued: "One challenge in today's world is the greatly reduced number of apple & pear growers, from the past. This year's show fruit competition will see new rules encouraging more entries. Previously 3 show fruit trays must be selected for inspection by the Judges.
The new rules will require only the 'front tray' for judge's inspection, reducing the time required for creating entries. The 2 remaining trays will be selected to blend for matching visual elements and he emphasised with modern varieties like Gala, Braeburn, Jazz, Cameo, etc. samples can probably be taken from the packing line, rather than selected early from the trees and held in cold store for 'later selection as show entries'
Nigel told me he is asking larger growers to 'encourage' younger members of their management team to enter the show fruit competition. With the new rules and Vice Chair Annette Bardsley (Nigel's wife) the 'doyen' of show entrants available for advice!
Nigel reiterated his comments from the NFS AGM: Where he extended sincere thanks to everyone who made the show possible, including major sponsors Hutchinsons, NP Seymour and One Pay, the other show and education programme sponsors, Claire Seymour the Chair of Trustees, Vice-Chair Annette Bardsley and Irainne the Competition Secretary, Eileen Haffenden the Show Manager, the entire Marden Fruit Show Society committee, and the all-important National Fruit Show trade exhibitors for their indispensable contributions to the show's continued success.
Following the resounding success of last year's new show format, the 2025 National Fruit Show will again be held on ONE day on 5th November 2025 located in the Maidstone Exhibition Hall at Kent Showground. We look forward to seeing you there.
In his AGM report, Chairman Nigel Bardsley reflected positively on the success of the first-ever one-day National Fruit Show format, which was implemented in 2024 following valuable feedback from exhibitors.
Nigel looked back on many key moments from the 2024 show, starting with the new President's Breakfast, which was attended by distinguished guests and included the presentation of the Jonathan Jones Trophy to John Breach.
The show was opened by NFU President Tom Bradshaw, whom Nigel praised for taking such a keen interest in the show alongside the key visitors Helen Whately MP, and Ali Capper from British Apples & Pears (BAPL).
With a smaller fruit display at the 2024 show, Nigel encouraged growers to participate actively in the fruit competitions, emphasising that simplified judging criteria have now been introduced in an attempt to boost entries and showcase the industry's exceptional produce.
Below: left. Nigel Bardsley encourages more involvement in the National Fruit Show and right. Nigel and The English Apple Man chat 'over coffee' at the 2025 NFS AGM
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man