Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceDorset information
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Dorset information
Contact the Symondsbury Apple Project for details of orchard skills courses and advice on setting up a Community Orchard and advice on researching the heritage of orchards in your area. Read more about this project - you might want to join in.
The project has produced a new booklet, a guide based on their own tried and tested research methods and their efforts to track down varieties and restore and plant orchards in the county. It is called 'Dorset Orchards: Research-Restore-Replant' and is available for £1 at the Centre For Local Food, The Bridport Museum, Groves Nurseries and Washingpool Farm Shop or by sending a £3 cheque or postal order made out to Symondsbury Apple Project, The Centre for Local Food, Unit 17, St. Michael's Industrial Estate, Foundry Lane, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3RR. See www.appleproject.org.uk for more information.
A new apple for Dorset (left) - an apple grown from a pip in 1971 by the dairyman's wife at Woolcombe Farm, Melbury Bubb, Woolcombe, Dorchester was brought to the attention of an expert at Sherborne Castle Apple Day and proclaimed "an apple of exceptional quality". The farm's new owners named the apple Woolcombe Beauty in honour of the farm. To find out more and purchase a tree contact the Symondsbry Apple Project on info[a]appleproject.org.uk or +44(0)1308 427449.
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
Visit the small, rambling old orchard at The Kingcombe Centre (left), Lower Kingcombe Farm, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. It sometimes has a friendly sow scrumping the apples in it. Apple Day +44(0)1300 320684.
Broad Oak Community Orchard, New Road, Broad Oak, Sturminster Newton. This is a small old orchard of 0.18ha bounded by hedgerows, donated to Dorset Wildlife Trust in 1979. Conservation work and planting is organised by the Wildlife Trust with volunteers from the local community including John Poole who lives adjacent and has been an active volunteer and promoter of the orchard and Apple Day. Volunteers carry out pruning, having received training from DWT. A hedge laying cycle is also in operation for the mature mixed hedges of ash, willow and oak. The orchard is probably over 100 years old with apple, plum, pear, cherry and crab apple as standard, half-standard and dwarf trees. Varieties include Autumn Pearmain and Bell de Boskoop. In addition, new trees of Warior, Blenheim Orange, Orleans Reinette, English Golden Delicious, St Emund’s Pippin, Bramley, Worcester Pearmain, Victoria Plum and Conference Pear have been planted. In 2007/8 two more trees of local varieties Melcombe Russet and Tom Putt will be planted. The under-storey is managed as a meadow, and because of the species-rich ground flora the orchard has been designated a Site of Nature Conservation interest, containing species such as cowslip, Oxe-eye daisy, Creeping Jenny, Devil’s Bit Scabious, Wood Anemone and Corky-fruited Water Dropwort. Annual wildlife surveys are carried out and habitats are improved and created using log piles, compost heaps, bird boxes and a pond which attracts dragonflies and toads. Apple Day has been celebrated for many years and continues to grow. So much so that a free shuttle bus is organized from the nearest town, Sturminster Newton, to discourage visitors from driving into this small village. Cider pressed at Apple Day 2006 was made into cider and sold under license at Apple day 2007. Proceeds from Apple Day are used by the Friends group for an interpretation board, a new gate, a shelter and leaflet. Contact: Joy Wallis, People & Wildlife Co-ordinator, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester DT2 7AA. Tel: +44(0)1305 264620, email: jwallis[at]dorsetwildlife.co.uk or see www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk
Burton’s Orchard, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum is being planted on land given to the parish by a local farmer. The first apple trees were planted in the winter of 2004/5 by volunteers and further trees are planned for 2005/6. Events include Apple Day, Wassailing, work days and open days. Contact: Mrs Jenny Whitelock on +44(0)1258 860019.
Charlton Down Community Orchard, Heirrison Road, Charlton Down, Dorchester. A new orchard planted on 2 acres on edge of a new village in 2005. The land is owned by Charminster parish Council who are also responsible for the orchard’s management. There is full open access. 160 half-standard trees of apples, pears and plums were paid for with a Lottery Awards for All grant and planted by most of the children in the village. Each tree has a label giving the variety and the planter’s name. After some damage by deer, new fencing was put up. Contact: Mark Simons, 11 Mill Lane, Charminster, Dorchester DT2 9QP, +44(0)1305 2660055, m.a.simons[at]dorsetcc.gov.uk
Donkey Field Community Orchard, Church Hill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. A mixed orchard planted in 2006 by local volunteers on disused land owned by Shaftesbury Town Council. The two acres of land was once used for allotment but proved too steep and too wet in some areas due to a spring line, and was latterly used for rough grazing. It is bounded by allotments, a playing field, churchyard and a road. A right of way passes through the orchard and is used by local people, walkers and dog walkers. A Friends of the Donkey Field Community Orchard group was soon established and from that a management committee to oversee legal and financial issues and arrange work days and events. Mainly standard trees were planted with apples, pears, plums, quince and medlar. Fruits and varieties were chosen by the Friends who planted them. Some Dorset and West country varieties have been planted including Tom Putt and there are plans to research local varieties further and add more trees in time. Some trees were stolen in their first spring but public donations have allowed the Friends group to replace them. A grant from the Liveability Fund was awarded to create disabled access, seating, a noticeboard and entrance marker. The seating and noticebard were made from local sustainably managed timber by the Dorset Centre For Rural Skills, and the entrance marker will be completed in 2008 by a lettercutter from Enmore Green using local wood. A further grant allowed the group to commission a ten-year Environmental Management Plan. A large area remains too wet to plant fruit trees and will be gently managed to improve biodiversity. There are work days every one to two months and Apple Day and Wassailing are celebrated each year. Contact: Kate O’Farrell, (Secretary of the Friends group) 07776 447292, kateofarrell[at]letterboxes.org or see www.dirtynails.co.uk
East Orchard, West Orchard and Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury. In early 2003 the parish council and local volunteers planted fruit trees on roadside land in the three villages to mark the millennium and reinforce the villages' heritage. The orchards were suggested after the Dorset Branch of the International Tree Foundation offered grants for planting small woods to mark the Golden Jubilee. The project received £150 from the ITF as well as jubilee funds. Trees were planted in small groups in places acceptable to the Highways Department. Modern hybrid apple trees were also planted, whose names relate to stages of the Queen's reign. The trees’ first harvest was in 2005, when they were weighed down with fruit. Two plum trees on heavier clay unfortunately died but others have thrived. Local people can help themselves to the fruit. Contact: Philippa Forrest, Tree Warden and Clerk to The Parish Council for East & West orchard with Margaret Marsh, +44(0)1747 812365, or email: nick.forrest[at]virgin.net
Jubilee Planting, around villages of East Orchard, West Orchard and Margaret Marsh (B3091 Sturminster to Shaftesbury Road at Bleax Corner and the junction with Hartgrove and East Orchard plus odd trees in East and West Orchard by Polo Ground). Apple trees were planted in 2002 on rural roadside verges around the villages of East and West Orchard and Margaret Marsh by the local Tree Warden and Parish Council Clerk Philippa Forrest. Varieties were partly chosen to mark the Golden Jubilee and the Millennium, including Anniversary, Deacon’s Millennium, Queen, Monarch as well as West Country apples Tom Putt, Yarlington Mill and Hambledon Deux Ans from the neighbouring Hampshire. All on M26 Rootstock. The fruit is available for anyone to pick. Contact: Philippa Forrest, Oaklands, East Orchard, Shaftesbury SP7 0LQ, +44(0)1747 812365, philippa[at]nickforrest.plus.com
Kynaston Orchard, off Nutmead Lane Bridleway, Child Okeford. A linear orchard planted in 2006 along a permissive footpath on Gold Hill Organic Farm. Thirty standard apple trees have been planted along 200m by the farmers with help from local school children to give walkers the chance to pick fruit as they pass. It is hoped that the children will continue to take an interest in the trees. Contact: Sara Cross, Gold Hill Organic Farm, Child Okeford DT11 8HB, +44(0)1258 861413, vegetables4[at]hotmail.com or see www.goldhillorganicfarm.co.uk
Lamperds Allotments Orchard, Blandford Forum. A community orchard with 30 different varieties of apple, plum and crab apple trees was planted on land at Lamperd’s Field next to the allotments by around 30 local volunteers. Trees were paid for with a grant from North Dorset District Council. Most of the tree varieties (25 apples, two crab apples and three plums) have been chosen because they are local to Dorset or the West Country plus some favourites such as Bramley Apple, Cornish Aromatic, Beauty of Bath and Victoria Plum. The trees are planted in two rows on the edge of allotments. A group of volunteers has signed up to become Tree Wardens, and have been allocated a tree to ‘adopt’, making them responsible for the maintenance of their tree while the Allotment Association takes overall responsibility for management. It is hoped that allotment holders will enjoy the fruit for many years to come. There will also be benefits for wildlife and the environment. Contact: Cyril Hovard, Secretary of the Allotment Association, +44(0)1258 459395, blandford-allotments[at]talktalk.net or see www.blandford-allotments.co.uk
Millers Community Orchard, Mill Lane, Charminster, Dorchester (behind St Mary’s Church). A small quarter acre orchard planted in 2004 by local people with trees bought with a grant from West Dorset District Council. The land is owned by the parish Council. Half standard apple trees of local and non-local varieties were planted. There was a problem with canker and some trees had to be replaced with resistant varieties. The orchard is bounded by hedgerows, a riverbank which is left wild, and the orchard is not sprayed. Apple Day and Wassailing have been celebrated. Contact: Mark Simons, Chairman, Charminster Parish Council, 11 Mill Lane, Charminster, Dorchester, +44(0)1305 260055, simons[at]charminsterdorchester.fsnet.co.uk
Shaftesbury Abbey, Park Walk, Shaftesbury has apple trees planted in its walled garden in 2004. All the apples and pears are being grown on a single cordon system used for many centuries, and the varieties have been chosen to span the 15th to 19th centuries. Many of these varieties could have been grown in the Abbey orchard although not in the present location. The Abbey’s audio-guide handsets give information about the different varieties. Contact: +44(0)1747 852910 or user[at]shaftesburyabbey.fsnet.co.uk or see www.shaftesburyabbey.uk7.net
Stalbridge Community Orchard. This old orchard began its life as a part of Lord Stalbridge’s estate, it was bought by the Bryan family who picked the fruit until 20 years ago when it became unused. Care for it has now been taken over by the Stour Valley Rangers who have begun restoring the fruit trees and conserving the area as a wild life habitat. The orchard contains apples, pears and greengages including the Original Harvest Plum, Quarantine Apple and Stippett Apple. Contact: Stour Valley Ranger, North Dorset Rangers Office, 1 Old Market Cross House, Market Cross, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1AN
Will Tuck’s Orchard, Symondsbury. This once acre orchard and other trees in and around the village make up the Symondsbury Apple Project. The trees in the orchard range from 100 years to 20 years old and are a mixture of apples and pears. It is cared for by local volunteers and the land owners and the fruit is used for cider making, baking and sold locally and at the Farmers Market in Bridport. It has limited public access, however the terms of the lease for Will Tuck’s orchard include provision for an annual event, such as Apple Day. The main contacts for the orchard have won a BTCV National Pioneers Millennium Award which will be used for buying new trees, fencing and other materials as well as for training in orchard management, permaculture and other skills. They are encouraging people to adopt the trees then pick the fruit and use if for juicing as well as taking the fruit to a local cider maker for pressing. Wild life spotted in the orchard include goldfinches, goldcrests, green and lesser spotted woodpeckers, badgers, roe deer, red admirals, gatekeepers, commas, tortoiseshells and peacock butterflies and bullfinches. The grass sward is becoming more diverse with a return of spring bulbs and wildflowers as nettles and buttercup have been cleared, but some nettle patches have been left as they are essential to the peacock butterfly. There is limited public access but the orchard is the Project’s main teaching resource and is used for training days. Most of the trees have been carefully restored over the years. A very popular Apple Day is held each year in the village’s ports field and pavilion. Contact: The Symondsbury Apple Project, The Centre for Local Food, Unit 17, St. Michael's Industrial Estate, Foundry Lane, Bridport, DT6 3RR, info[at]appleproject.org.uk, +44(0)1308 428913 or see www.appleproject.org.uk
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Apple Catering Cakes - Dorset Apple Cake, Dorset Tea Bread and much more from Jo and Eve Puttick, Apple Catering Cakes, Lychett Matravers +44(0)1929 459368. They are a two-person team making traditional Dorset cakes in their thatched farm cottage home. They specialise in Dorset Apple Cake, made from a 16th century recipe from the Piddle Valley, using apples from their orchard and other local orchards. Cakes can be cought from their door, or at Farmers’ Markets in Blandford, Wareham and Poole.
Castles Cider, Crabbs Bluntshay Farm, Whitchurch Cannicorum, nr Bridport DT6 6RN +44(0)1297 489064. Mr Castle runs this orchard with wild life in mind. It is under Countryside Stewardship, and footpaths run through. Castles Cider is also sold bottled at farmers markets.
Country Wines, The Coach House, Main Road, West Lulworth, BH20 5RQ +44(0)1929 400227. Over 100 different wines + liqueurs.
Cider from Crabbs Bluntshay Farm is sold at Farmer's Markets in Dorchester and Bridport. Ring for an appointment for farm gate sales on +44(0)1297 489064.
Elwell Fruit Farm, Waytown, Bridport DT6 SLF - 15 varieties of apples and pears, plus apple juice from farm shop of PYO. Contact Caroline Jackson,+44(0)1308 488283.
Mill House Cider Museum, Owermoigne, DT2 8HZ, +44(0)1305 852220. Visit the forty or fifty 18th & 19th century cider mills, some of which have been restored to working condition and buy cider and other products from the shop.
Mrs Pook's Kitchen sells chutneys, jams and oils - such as Apple Chutney, Apricot and Almond Jam, Blackberry and Apple Jelly, Pear and Cider Conserve and Apple & Sage Vinegar. These are available at local Farmer's Markets or from 2 Farm Cottages, Cross Lanes, Melcombe Bingham, Dorchester DT2 7NY, +44(0)1258 881274.
Thyme After Thyme, Glue Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 2DH, +44(0)1258 471911. Pickles, chutneys, jams including "A Bit of a Pickle: Blackberry, Apple & Onion Pickle with Lemon & Mint", "It Must Be Chutney: Apple Onion & Raisin Chutney", "A Good Stuffing: Lavender, Apple & Onion Stuffing", "Ready Steady Jellys" in Fresh Rosemary & Apple, Fresh Mint & Apple, and Pear and Tarragon. Apples are sourced locally whenever possible, and also produce special seasonal products using only Dorset ingredients.
Wolfeton Cider, Wolfeton House, nr Dorchester DT2 9QN +44(0)1305 263500.
'Enjoy Fine Food & Drink in Dorset', a brochure from Taste of the West, call +44(0)1392 440745 or look at their web-site.
Local Food Directory is available from West Dorset Food Links, The Old Library, 51 East Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3JX +44(0)1308 459050. Local Products Directory (covering the Blackmore Vale, Cranborne Chase, East Dorset Heaths and Purbeck) is available from North Dorset District Council, Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7LL +44(0)1258 484008.
Dorset Apple Cake (chopped apple is added to the cake mixture with apple slices layed on top).
Bryanston Gage, a greengage, and Golden Ball and Warrior apples are available from Thornhayes Nursery, St Andrews Wood, Dulford, Cullompton, Devon EX5 2DF +44(0)1884 266746 or see www.thornhayes-nursery.co.uk. Offer mail order.
Merriott Garden Centre (formerly Scott's of Merriott), 4 Higher Street, Merriott TA16 5PL, +44(0)1460 72306 or see www.scottsnurseries.co.uk
