The Journal gives a weekly update on events in our English apple orchards, using pictures and video clips to follow seasonal activities and giving the consumer a level of detail not available from any other source.
All aspects of growing, harvesting, storage, grading, packing and marketing are included enabling consumers to understand the challenges English growers face in supplying our sophisticated market place.
This week's English Apple Man Journal, features almost nothing about apples & pears, but posts memories of an old friend and indulges in nostalgia.
Remembering an old friend - Andrew (Andy) Rutherford
Sadly as we grow old we lose dear friends, each one passing brings back fond memories of the past. Nostalgia is a wonderful comfort in old age and it becomes more precious with each passing day.
Way back in our youth I played football with a special group of friends. From 16 years old until I was aged 23 I was part of Hawkhurst United a local football team playing village football in Kent & East Sussex. In that seven year period we grew into a very good team, winning many trophies and culminating in winning a local Charity Cup which meant so much to us all.
AS mentioned in 1965 we reached The Hawkhurst Charity Cup Final, last won by Hawkhurst United exactly 30 years previously when my father was the star centre forward.
One of my team mates was Andrew (Andy) Rutherford whose family moved into 'Wetheringhope' a large house on Hawkhurst Moor opposite The Eight Bells Public House where we celebrated many a Cup Win with 'Black Velvet' (Champagne & Guinness) Andy played for Hawkhurst between 1957 and 1967.
Andrew was nearly six years older than me and when I first played for Hawkhurst he was in the air force. By 1960 he was back and part of the team as we progressed to a higher league culminating in our many on field successes!
Over the years since our football days, Andrew and I met regularly, playing Golf at various Charity Golf Events. Westerham and Cherry Lodge regular charity venues. We also played at Tenterden Golf Club with Roy (Jumbo) Avery who became an excellent club golfer after retiring from football.
Andrew was a member Dulwich & Sydenham Hill Golf Club with it's panoramic views across London where we would play occasionally and sharing a coffee beforehand with his delightful wife Ann, who I remember would sometimes come to watch Andrew playing for Hawkhurst United with her father in those far of 'halcyon days of our youth' I still have memories of Ann and her father, with my father watching us from the touchline!
Canker is probably the most difficult disease faced by apple growers World Wide.
Below: Dr Mat Papp-Rupar, Plant Pathologist Project Leader NIAB
While many pests and diseases challenge the production of clean healthy fruit, most can be dealt with either by a chemical spray or more environmentally friendly means. Canker has at this moment in time, no weapon, either chemically or otherwise, capable of efficiently killing the spores which are the first enemy of infection!
Containment is currently the only means of keeping canker in check. Over the years we (fruit growers and scientists) would get excited by some new canker strategy. But it is still the number one global challenge.
In a recent presentation Dr Mat Papp-Rupar, Plant Pathologist Project Leader NIAB gave the most comprehensive overview of the history of global battle against apple canker.
Containment is the only practical way of dealing with canker!
Before we review Mat's Canker presentation, I am including a passage from my Journal in 2020 which reviews a canker research update.
Research - The ongoing research for controlling canker has been going on for decades, with 'every so often' a new breakthrough or more accurately 'a better understanding of the canker beast' surfacing. As a grower, I like many was convinced the infection came from the nursery as the 'source of infection' and no doubt that was true in some cases. We know an orchard which has suffered severe canker in the past is the last place to plant a canker susceptible variety. Today we recognise the importance of orchard hygiene; the removal of overwintering canker spores on any pruning's left in the orchard is a 'launch pad' for canker in the next growing season. Pruning in wet weather creates a high risk of spreading infection from one cut surface to another. Leaf abscission when canker spore are prevalent (wet & humid conditions) is another danger zone!
For the full EAM review from February 2020. Click on: Canker - the number 1 challenge for apple growers
Last week BAPL held their annual technical day in conjunction with NIAB EMR
The English Apple Man comments: The content of the day's programme was extensive, one may say comprehensive. While those interested in the detail are best served by visiting the BAPL publication of the Research programme, I will endeavour to pick out the aspects which particularly caught me attention!
BAPL CEO Ali Capper set out the future since exiting AHDB. We have had to be tactical:
Could BAPL raise a levy? - Would everyone pay? - Could we build a reserve?
Would we ever be able to do long term research again?
Ali commented: We are under development now with a new Strategic Plan for BAPL R&D with longer term, multi-year R&D projects
We will Broaden Risk Register to add to Pest & Disease and include climate change mitigation and other concerns, e.g. water, nature, nutrition.
Utilise reserves to underwrite 2-3 year plans introducing new streams of funding to bolster grower levy and enable a robust R&D
plan
"This is important as we cannot initiate new research plans which take 2-3 years to complete without ensuring the funding is in place.
The plan is to maintain levy at current rate but increase external funding!
Click on: BAPL R&D meeting, hosted by Niab on 10 February 2026
My Dear readers, my sincere apologies, but due to unforeseen circumstances I am not able to publish my English Apple Man Journal for this week!
I am okay but struggling with other issues leaving me unable to devote enough time to concentrate on the detail required!
It has been a bit disjointed this week, as I planned to join my many friends in the apple & pear community for the BAPL Research Day on Tuesday. On Monday I accompanied my wife for a pre-op consultation prior to a planned (in the near future) Cataract operation.
But, the Consultant who my wife described as "wonderful" threw a small spanner in the works when he said; "I can do it tomorrow"
Well, what could I do but agree! The appointment was 3.15pm on Tuesday! There goes my visit to BAPL event, but then I realised I could attend the morning session, leave at lunchtime and be home well before our journey to Benenden Hospital.
The cataract operation went well, and now I'm trying to balance my available time!
Below: Tuesday 10th February - British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) R&D meeting 2026
British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) R&D meeting 2026 message from Ali Capper CEO BAPL
"With colleagues from Niab, the BAPL research and development team hosted a full day of presentations from researchers and experts to share the latest in crop protection technologies and approaches. More than 80 people joined in person, with a further 150 people joining via the live online webinar".
The meeting took place in Kent on 10th February 2025 and was open to members of BAPL who pay a levy to support this vital R&D work, as well as other interested parties and colleagues from Niab.
With my busy week and additional workload (looking after the 'patient' administering eye drops 4 times a day etc.) I will leave additional coverage of the BAPL day until next weeks Journal!
This week's Journal will touch on the recent events going on now, and in the near future!
Next Tuesday 10th February the BAPL / NIAB apple and pear event takes place
The recent Fruit Logistica in Berlin
The Next Generation Fruit Group are on the way home from their visit to South Africa
British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) has secured funding worth £200,000 for two new applied research projects through the ADOPT programme, strengthening the organisation's grower-led research and development work aimed at improving sustainability, resilience and productivity in all commercial UK apple orchards.
The funding provides a significant boost to the research programme already supported by British apple and pear growers through BAPL's voluntary levy, allowing the organisation to expand the scope of its work and accelerate delivery of practical solutions for the sector.
"To secure not one, but two Innovate UK grants for this valuable research is fantastic news." Explained Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL. "This significantly amplifies the scope of our work and brings real tangible benefits to growers, with evidence-based insights on how growers can reduce conventional fertiliser use and use new soil amendments to improve orchard performance and sustainability.
The projects are vitally important for the continued growth of our sector."
British Apples and Pears (BAPL) our apple and pear industry promotional body, has long history of supporting the 'top fruit' industry, but in the last decade has progressed under the influence of CEO Ali Capper into a much broader organisation, delivering much more than public promotion. Now research, etc.
The latest addition to the spectrum of BAPL industry support is the introduction of practical workshops.
In a conversation last week, Ali Capper updated me on the inspiration she had for introducing practical workshops to the services BAPL provides for it's grower members.
Noting that similar organisations in the world, New Zealand, Australia, USA organise practical activities for their members, Ali has added: Practical Workshops to BAPL activities!
Below: Tom Hulme, Paul Hamlyn & Russell Graydon
This week, The English Apple Man explores the changes happening in fruit choices, varietal changes and packaging improvements
Apple growers in Japan's Aomori prefecture have turned to peaches to help manage the effects of climate change.
Peach production almost doubles as growers diversify to manage rising temperatures
According to a report from The Japan Times, the climate in the region has changed, with higher temperatures affecting certain apple varieties. One grower noted early-season varieties were affected in particular.
"I think everyone has noticed that these varieties no longer suit the climate here," said a 47-year-old farmer in Hirakawa in the prefecture," said 47-year-old Hirakawa grower Ono
As I write this week's English Apple Man Journal, The Oxford Farming Conference is drawing to an end
This annual event is an important event where all factions of British Farming are represented. In this Journal The EAM tries to pass on some of the key messages from the Oxford Farming Conference
Now in its 90th year, the Oxford Farming Conference is a key date in the farming calendar. Taking place from January 7-9 at the Examination Schools in the city's historic High Street, the event brings together politicians. industry leaders and farmers to discuss key issues affecting the agricultural sector.
"Growing Resilience", running from 7th to 9th January, will mark an opportunity to celebrate our incredible sector and its ability to adapt to the ever-changing world, the opportunities ahead for current and future generations, and a valued legacy, passed on by previous generations.
OFC states: "We will also reflect on the resilience, strength and significant moments of the OFC over the last 90 years. Looking back to 1936 when OFC was first launched, our motto remains true today as it did all those years ago - to "challenge and inspire", not only those who attend but the wider industry. And we are extremely proud that in recent years we have added "include", highlighting our continued commitment that OFC is welcoming and accessible to all.
As we look to the future with hope and optimism, "Growing Resilience" will allow us to explore what is coming next and how we can ensure that our people, our farm businesses, and our environment continues to grow and develop in a resilient manner
Making her OFC debut, Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds will be hoping for a warmer welcome than was meted out to her predecessor Steve Reed last year when she takes to the stage on Thursday.
Delivering the keynote address and fresh on the back of the Government U-turn on Inheritance Tax, Ms Reynolds will also take questions from the audience.
She will be joined by Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity at the Scottish Government; Welsh Government's Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs; and Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland.
The theme of this year's event is 'Growing Resilience' and there will be appearances from Baroness Minette Batters, following the publication of her Farm Profitability Review and also NFU president Tom Bradshaw.
This page initially shows the latest journals. You can use a journal's link to view the full story.
It is now much easier to find a particular journal of interest. Just type your search terms into the search box or select the month and/or year and click Submit.
I have completed the process of reworking my entire archive of journal pages into the style of the new website to make them more accessible to users of mobile phones etc.
Although the content now adapts to the size of the display, some of the archived journals still have photographs that won't fit and so get cropped. Archived journals are best viewed on a computer screen!