5 out of 5 stars
A copy of this was provided free of charge from the publisher in return for an honest review.
We so far have six fruit trees in our garden, and according to a search on Google, it takes five trees to make an orchard. It doesn’t feel quite right though, if I ever have enough land then I am going to plant an proper orchard with rows and everything! There is a lot of folklore associated with orchards too, but Never partaken in a wasailing event, though I hear from Martin Maudsley they are well worth attending
I do love visiting the Bridport Community Orchard, located just off the town centre, it is a peaceful haven in a busy world. But they are becoming rarer than ever. Since 1960 we have lost two thirds of the small traditional orchards that could be found all over the West Country. This loss is catastrophic, not only have apple varieties that are unique to that particular local gone, but the long established ecosystems that depend on these trees have gone with it.
There are people working to find trees that have escaped the relentless grubbing up that took place a couple of decades ago. Two of them are pomologist Liz Copas and cidermaker Nick Poole who have been scouring Dorset looking for the hedgerows with apple trees as well as seeking out farms and small holdings that might have a tiny orchard still left.
This book is some of the results of their findings and their journeys back and forth across West Dorset finding the lost marvels. When they found the trees they scrumped the apples to make ciders and most importantly took samples for DNA and cutting to graft onto rootstocks. Some of the varieties they found were known by other names, and what wonderful names they have. However, some were unique and they had the opportunity to name them so we now have records for Matravers, Tom Legg, Golly Knapp and Cattistock Pink.
I thought that this was a wonderful book and if you have the faintest interest in orchards then you should read it too. I liked their theory that cider making began in Dorset too, it feels plausible given the information they have found out. It is good to see that the varieties that they have discovered are now being replanted in orchards across Dorset now. Long may it continue.
Other reading
Orchard: A Year in England’s Eden by Benedict Macdonald
Common Ground Book Of Orchards
The Apple Orchard by Pete Brown
Ooh that sounds lovely, and a five star review from you!
It was. I know I had three five star books in February!