On Wednesday 17th September 2025, BAPL hosted an orchard event to showcase the British apple harvest for retailers and political stakeholders.
Set amongst extensive Gala, Jazz and Pink Lady orchards in Kent, the event showcased apple picking, the 2025 crop and plans for future growth.
More than 100 people attended the event and there was a buzz about the group as everyone recognised that this is an exciting time for UK apple and pear growers with huge potential to grow the production of our delicious and nutritious fruit.
In last week's Journal The English Apple Man highlighted Ali Capper's speech in which she covered extensively key subjects
This week the pictures of the 'orchard walk take centre stage'
The English Apple Man thanks Martin Apps 'Countrywide Photographic for allowing me to use some of his fantastic photos taken on the day!
Countrywide Photographic is a well-established, professional photographic service delivering inspirational images to clients across the South East.
It is headed up by Martin Apps, who blends a creative approach and superlative technical skills with a relaxed and friendly nature that helps ensure the best possible results.
Below: left. Bowl of apples & pears and right. Worldwide Fruit 'goodie bag'
Below: Ali Capper presents Paul Curtis of Tesco with the award for most apples sold during the 2024/2025 season
Below: left. Ali presents ASDA with the award for most improved retailer 2024/2025 and right. Sainsburys receive the award for most pears sold
Below: left. Robert Hinge welcomes visitors to the BAPL event and delivers an overview of the orchard walk. right. Worldwide Fruit CEO Steve Maxwell welcomes attendees and highlights varieties we will see on the orchard walk
Below: left. Attendees enjoyed a tasty 'buffet lunch' and the chance to catch up with fellow members of the top fruit fraternity
Below: left. Jazz was introduced by Worldwide Fruit circa 25 years ago and is now second only to Pink Lady in the UK club apple supply
Below: Kissabel is not a variety, it is a Trade Mark for a mix of three varieties with pink flesh (high in antioxidants)
Below: left. Robert Hinge addressing a visitor group about Kissabel and right. Time to taste some Kissabel
Below: Tony Harding Worldwide Fruit Procurement & Technical Director explains elements of Kissabel and right. Flesh of a Kissabel apple
Below: the three Kissabel varieties Orange, Rouge and Jaune
Below: left. John Hinge leading a group looking at Pink Lady and right. Pink Lady apples the Worlds number one Club Apple now grown in the UK
Below: left. John with a group inspecting Pink Lady and observing the hail netting
Below: left & right. Robert and John grow Crimson Crisp
Bright, bold, and bursting with flavour, the Crimson Crisp Apple Tree delivers beautiful, deep red fruit with crisp, sweet-tart yellow flesh.
Below: left and right. The 'Weed Burner' is a recent innovation trialled and purchased by Robert & John Hinge
RootWave kills weeds using electricity to give better weed control at a lower cost than chemical herbicides whilst protecting health and helping nature restore its soils, water and biodiversity.
Below: Introduced gradually over the last 5-10 years, Apple Harvest machines are now standard on all the larger apple farms
Below: Back from our orchard walk, we relax with a cup of tea. left. The EAM with Charnee Butcher of Worldwide Fruit and right. 'small group engaging in conversation'
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Below: left. Charnee in conversation with Charles Atkins and right. Mark Gaskain, Charles Atkins and David Long (facing) in discussion
The English Apple Man comments
This was an altogether brilliant celebration to start the 2025/2026 apple & pear season. Robert Hinge has embraced the Worldwide Fruit philosophy of majoring on premium apples and pears like Jazz, Pink Lady and Kissabel, in addition to the two leading volume varieties Gala and Braeburn.
Worldwide Fruit is co-owned by Fruition Group PO (UK) and Turners & Growers Global (NZ) with access to the breeding programmes in New Zealand from where Jazz and Envy apples are successful examples of the breeding programme
Click on: Worldwide Fruit Ltd
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man