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.
The Annual East Kent Fruit Society (EKFS) Winning Orchard Walk took place at Adrian Scripps Ltd Hononton Farm at Brenchley in Kent on Tuesday 19th August @ 5.30pm by kind permission of MD James Simpson
The walk of the winning orchard - Target West Braeburn which was planted in 2011 (4.25ha)
Welcomed by ASL MD James Simson and Farm Manager Philip Thomas an excellent turnout of growers and fruit industry associates enjoyed an evening walking:
* 9 acres. Braeburn, Miriri Red, ( 2021 1st leaf) - now in 5th leaf
* Palmers Green, Pink Lady, Rosy Glow (2021 1st Leaf) - now in 5th leaf
* Farmhouse, Pink Lady, Rosy Glow (2023 1st Leaf) - now in 3rd leaf
* Brenchley: Braeburn, Hillwell (2011 1st Leaf) - now in 15th leaf e.g.. 14th cropping year
* Target West: Braeburn Hillwell (2011 1st Leaf) - now in 15th leaf e.g.. 14th cropping year
During his welcome and overview James Simpson told us; "Adrian Scripps started farming in 1956 and built the foundations of the business as it is today. Hononton was the first farm bought by Adrian Scripps.
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!
As a new season approaches and the first 'early UK apples' appear in farm shops and the prospect of vintage apple and pear quality this season looks very promising!
Via BAPL Orchard Watch: "Good crop, UK apple and pear growers share their predictions for the 2025 harvest
September 2025 will mark the start of the new British apple and pear season, and UK growers say that a dry growing season has not hampered the developing fruit. Instead, 2025 could be the best for quality and flavour for many years.
Young apples and pears are now growing and ripening slowly in orchards across the UK. Growers have been reviewing their crops closely and have set out the following predictions for the coming season:
Apple volumes are generally looking good. While variations from orchard to orchard exist, the overall apple crop is looking good. Expectations are that it will be up a little on 2024.
Beautiful skin finish and sweeter flavours. In general, the 2025 crop is looking stunning. The skin finish is excellent, with much of the russet seen last year not so prevalent this year. The warm, sunny weather over recent weeks is generating a delicious, sweet flavour
This week, The English Apple Man takes a close look at the comprehensive Census carried out by BAPL(British Apples and Pears. Under the leadership of Ali Capper, Chair of BAPL and a very experienced apple and pear industry figurehead for a decade or more now!
Supported by a strong board of directors encompassing leading growers and fruit industry representatives, BAPL has over the last few years increased annually the pressure on Government and Supermarkets by raising the awareness of the top fruit industry's 'state of health'
As part of its long-term strategic planning, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the top fruit grower organisation, has conducted two in-depth studies (orchard census and storage survey) of current and future UK apple and pear orchard infrastructure.
The orchard census and storage survey results reveal the growth potential of British apples and pears, the potential risks of inaction and what practical steps are needed to secure the sector's long-term success.
On Friday 18th The English Apple Man accepted an invitation to NP Seymour's 'Open Afternoon'
NP Seymour invites growers to come and see the UK's first electric Fendt e107 V Vario
Accompanied by my son Stuart, who works for the NFU, we intended to only stay for an hour or two!
BUT it was such an enjoyable afternoon spent with Nick Seymour and his daughter Claire Seymour and several old friends who were also invited to the afternoon, we spent quality time discussing the 'new and older Fendt tractors' that have been integral to our farming lives over 40 years. Nourished by cold drinks (it was a hot afternoon) and fuelled with a tasty barbecue cooked by Claire's son Eli, and served by Mandy Hounsell Education officer for National Fruit Show and a close friend of Claire.
"Started by Nick and Barbara Seymour in 1974, our family-run business is today headed up by the second-generation, Claire Seymour, who remains dedicated to helping fruit farmers, hop growers, packhouse managers, and vineyard owners with all their equipment needs".
Fruit Focus is an annual 'one day event' held at NIAB East Malling held in July
My apologies to my readers for the VERY late publication of this week's Journal - Sunday @ 7pm
This is an event that The English Apple Man always attends, but this year's Fruit Focus fell on the same day as my old friend Hugh Curtis Thanksgiving Service was held. See last week's Journal.
Very kindly, Fruit Focus organisers gave me access to their picture gallery and a review of the day's highlights.
Fruit Focus is always an enjoyable occasion, great for catching with old friends and viewing the latest technological advances from the brilliant scientists at NIAB.
At my age it's a regular occurrence, the passing of friends and associates. The most recent loss was particularly poignant with the loss of someone who was not only a colleague and friend, but who gave me an opportunity to change the course of my life!
This week family and friends paid our respects at the 'Service of Thanksgiving' for Hugh Curtis at Barham Crematorium
Sadly - Hugh Curtis passed away very recently at the age of 94. Hugh was for many years Head of Quality Assurance at Home Grown Fruit, before retiring in 1996.
Back in 1994 Hugh gave me an opportunity to join Home Grown Fruit (HGF) as a Quality Insurance Inspector changing my life from a retired fruit grower into a world of QA and leading to a 'corporate world'
On Wednesday fellow colleagues and their wives joined Hugh's son Paul and members of Hugh's family and friends as we showed our respects and bade farewell to this remarkable old friend.
Hugh Richard Curtis was born on the 26th October 1930 and passed away on 8th June 2025.
He had two sons, Paul and Christopher. Paul resides in Canterbury with his family and Christopher lives in USA with his family.
The Funeral Service was conducted by Eric Harmer who read the Eulogy to Hugh on behalf of the family.
Hugh was a very capable man, brilliant at woodworking and a master of do it yourself tasks. In retirement he was a prolific painter of water colours.
At the Wake where we all gathered to reminisce, Paul brought in Hugh's paintings and offered us all an opportunity to choose one each to keep as a memory of Hugh.
Cherries are the star attraction at the moment. Whether British, European, North America or Canadian all are prominent!
Strawberries are, bigger, juicier and sweeter than previous years following a cool spring and recent warm weather.
Raspberries larger, plumper and and extra tasty, and benefitting from a plethora of new varieties.
But at this moment in time, it's all about the start of the British Cherry season!!
British cherries are celebrated for their exceptional quality, with a growing season from mid-June to August, offering a variety of sweet and juicy options.
Growing Season and Availability
British cherries are typically in season from mid-June to August, depending on weather conditions. The warm spring weather has contributed to a larger and sweeter crop this year, with British growers expecting a yield of around 8,000 tonnes, significantly higher than in previous years.
This season is expected to last about 10 weeks, double the length of the season five years ago.
WOW it's been a funny old week!
On Wednesday evening of last week (18th June) while planning to water our garden baskets, I sat for a moment contemplating a few small plants I had left over, pondering where to place them. I decided in a pot by our small fish pond. Rising from the chair I lost my balance completely and fell headfirst into the pond!!!!!!
A frightening experience for an 83 year old as I was underwater facing down and in that matter of a few seconds, thought I would drown!
Somehow I managed to turn over onto my back and feeling very stupid wondered how I would get out!
Being one of these creatures who always has my mobile phone in my pocket, and fortunately not very wet and working, I rang my wife who was sitting indoors obliviously watching TV. " Help, I've fallen over, in the pond" - she heard the fallen over bit, but not the pond bit!
A few moments later she arrived at the back door, stood on the top step and seeing me sitting 'forlornly' in the pond, started laughing!
I don't know what your laughing at I roared, I could have been drowned!!!!
Friends know I have been suffering with mobility for some time, unsteady at times and I had no idea how to get out! So my wife rang our friendly neighbours and they came round and pulled me out and sat me on a wooden chair wet and very despondent. But not before trying to 'smother laughter' -
Ten days later and I am still feeling the aches and pains!
As The English Apple Man progresses into his eighties (83 & counting) sadly we lose friends. They may be family, close friends or members of the farming fraternity that 'one' has worked with and where friendships have developed.
Over the last few years The English Apple Man has attended and paid homage to many friends who have enriched many lives with their personality, their farming and personal achievements that go beyond their daily lives and bring happiness to those within their social circle.
Below: Lesley and Sandys Dawes
This week I attended the funeral of a great lady; Lesley Ellen Dawes 'chatelaine' of Mount Ephraim House and gardens where the Dawes family settled more than 300 years ago. The funeral service was held in St. Michaels Church in Herne Hill.
In a tribute to her mother from daughter Lucy:
"Mum first came to Mount Ephraim in the late 1960s, having travelled overland and sea from Australia with Dad whom she met at Melbourne university. From a more humble background in Ballarat near Melbourne, I know mum found it a little daunting at first, but it came to be where she would call home.
The gardens were first opened in 1985, and even though mum was a microbiologist by background, she threw her heart and soul into the gardens and opened a tea room for the visitors. Garden events followed, then outdoor theatre, weddings and festivals. Nothing was ever too much for mum, dad and Miz to try". (Miz was Lucy's Grandma Mary Dawes)
With five kids, a large extended family and many, many friends from all over the world, we filled the house with joy and laughter, a little bit of mischief, and so much fun".
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