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.
My dear readers, recently I have been under considerable stress. At the age of 83 and not in the best of health, and in the process of my wife and I moving into a retirement apartment, clearing a lifetimes 'memorabilia' acerbated by a fire in our kitchen (we were lucky) resulting in the loss of carpets some furniture and requiring restorative cleansing from smoke contamination of walls ceilings and contents.
While this has been stressing us both, my dear younger brother has been trying to overcome a stroke from last year, he fell a couple of weeks ago and broke his Femur bone, the fall happened on a Thursday and he was operated on the following Monday receiving high doses of pain relief.
The operation was successful, but the recovery has been traumatic. Sadly he suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the Friday evening and heartbreakingly died during the early hours of Saturday morning the 4th October,
This year we are enjoying vintage colour and quality from our apples and pears.
This week The English Apple Man features apple varieties grown by organic grower Paul Ward
The trees were supplied by J .R. Breach and the pictures taken by Peter Breach.
Most of J.R. Breach fruit trees are produced by Dalival, based in Northern France, at Villers-Cotterets (approx 50 miles NE of Paris). Dalival also has nurseries in other parts of France, and works closely with some nurseries elsewhere in Europe. The nursery at Villers-Cotterets specialises in apple and pear tree production,
Peter visited Paul at his organic orchards in Sandhurst Kent where he took pictures of three varieties JR Breach had supplied, namely; Stardance, Cabaret and Crimson Crisp. Both CABARET and STARDANCE varieties share the same parents; SATURN X BRAEBURN and were raised by John Breach and his son Peter.
Click on: J R Breach
I met Paul Ward back in 1996, just two years after he launched his organic business. With my Fruition Group colleague Graham we visited Paul hoping to arrange a supply of Organic apples to Waitrose who were a 'high profile' customer with a determination to support 'home grown organic produce'
Today Mole End Farms grows top fruit organically on approximately 110 Hectares across 8 sites in Kent at Cranbrook, Marden, Goudhurst, Sandhurst and Chart Sutton. Mole End; grow, store, pack and market their own produce.
History Mole End Farms Ltd was the brainchild of Paul Ward and Sara Rowan who, in 1994, decided that the time was right for a complete career change. Passionate believers in organics, they bought Mole End Farm in Chart Sutton and became the sole directors of Mole End Farms Ltd. This was followed by the purchase of Hartley Lands Farm at Cranbrook which they proceeded to convert to Soil Association organic standards and gradually over the years further holdings and organic orchards have been added.
In June 2017, after a long period of thought, deliberation and soul searching, Sara Rowan decided that the time was right to leave the business to pursue new challenges. Sara is an accomplished artist and had several commissions that she had been asked to do - she also hoped that weather permitting, she would have more time to ride her beloved Harley!
Paul Ward remains as majority owner and director of Mole End Farms Ltd with James Langley-Hunt as Business Director, CEO.
The 2025 apple harvest continues with stunning crops of superb quality and colour
ALSO: The English Apple Man and Mrs Appleman are moving into a Retirement Apartment in mid November - See bottom of Journal for full story!!!
Apple harvest is progressing well with main season varieties like Gala finished / finishing. Picking Jazz is about to start and Braeburn next. Pink Lady and Magic Star a bit later in the month!
A message from British Apples and Pears Limited
October is here... and so are the British apples!
Right now, supermarket shelves are brimming with home-grown favourites - crisp, juicy and full of flavour. Every bite is a celebration of our orchards, our growers, and the best of British farming.
When you choose British, you're backing our countryside, cutting food miles, and enjoying some of the freshest fruit in the world.
This British Apple Month, let's fill our baskets, crunch with pride, and show why British is best.
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'
On Wednesday 17th September British Apples and Pears celebrated the start of the new apple and pear season.
WITH SO MUCH CONTENT AND PICTURES AVAILABLE, I WILL MAJOR ON ALI CAPPER'S SPEECH AND INCLUDE MANY PICTURES IN NEXT WEEK'S JOURNAL
The event was hosted by Robert Hinge and his son John, with an address by Ali Capper Chair of BAPL and contributions from Steve Maxwell CEO of Worldwide Fruit Ltd.
Below: The Oak Grove Wedding Venue is strategically located next to many of Robert & John Hinge's orchard and very near to the River Medway estuary was a perfect location for the BAPL 2025 new season launch.
Click on: The Oak Grove
Below: Smitten and Bladon Pippin at Simon's
On Tuesday The English Apple Man drove to Norton in East Kent to see my good friend Simon Bray. On the farm picking Smitten was in progress and the quality and colour of the fruit, superb!
My primary reason for visiting that day was to pick Bladon Pippin, a variety 'of which' I have been very involved with over the last decade or so!
Some years ago I asked Simon to plant a couple of BP for me and annually in September I return to pick the Bladon Pippin fruit for tasting and promotional purposes.
Click on: Bladon Pippin to read about the history of this special apple!
Bladon Pippin trees are produced by Frank Matthews Nursery and distributed countrywide to Garden Centres or can be purchased directly from Frank P Matthews.
Last week The English Apple Man received an email from an old friend!
Dear John,
"My reason for contacting you is that there is to be a memorial service for DAVID MOOR on Sunday 14th Sept at Waltham church at 12.00 noon.
"I will be saying a few words ( very few, being mindful that Lincoln took just two mins for the famous Gettysburg address) as the fruit industry was a major part of David's life it would be good if any others might like to attend beyond the likes of me".
Kind regards - Tom Browne.
This 'voice from the past' is Tom Browne ex Waveney Apple Growers and Norfolk Fruit Growers.
I have know Tom for more than 30 years, since when back then, he was CEO of Norfolk Fruit Growers, a lovely man with a passion for the apple industry, we always enjoyed each others company.
At this time down in Kent at the apple & pear cooperative East Kent Packers, David Moor was the EKP Technical Director responsible for the massive apple stores built to keep EKP's large tonnage of Cox Orange Pippin in perfect condition through the winter months for supply to the leading UK Supermarkets.
I met David Moor after I joined Home Grown Fruit in 1994.
David's daughter Wendy sent me some background to David's life in Kent.
"I don't know how much Tom has told you. But basically Mum and Dad moved to Waltham, Kent over 30 years ago when Dad started the EKP job.
They had a happy time there, 'rescuing' an old mini-farmhouse, creating the most amazing garden from nothing, and very much involved in the local community. Dad's sight and health declined gradually, and Mum was in effect his carer by the time she died suddenly in 2021.
Us three siblings have had a challenging time caring for Dad and maintaining the house - all from a distance and with already challenging lives. We moved him to a care home last year near my sister Susie in Bishop's Stortford".
"We would of course be delighted if you were able to spread the word about Dad's Celebration of Life on Sunday 14th September, 12 noon, in any way you feel appropriate - particularly as that date is now indeed very much 'impending'!
It's the only date the church were able to offer us in the end this side of Christmas, leaving us with very little time for sorting everything out - but an upside is that serendipitously, given Dad's background (like yours by the sounds of it, growing up on a Kentish fruit-farm), the harvest festival service will also be that day, just before Dad's.
We are having Elizabeth Poston's 'Jesus Christ the apple tree' as one of the recorded music items (one of the things I sang gently to Dad as he was dying, and it gave him comfort). And in the absence of Dad's older brother (who died a few years ago), sister (too unwell to travel) and godson/nephew (in Rome, also long-term unwell) one of his cousins will be talking a little about the family background as part of his tribute.
Wendy Moor asked me to include this message: "Saying people are very welcome to contact me, or to just turn up. We would be delighted to have them with us. Wendy mobile: 07792 055067
Our fruit farmers are now surging ahead with the new season harvest of Apples and Pears,
With the help of British Apples & Pears (BAPL) The English Apple Man looks forward to the 2025 apple & pear 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.
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 apple season 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 profile.
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!
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