Great news! We’ve started planting trees at The Avenue site in Bevendean. The first 3 trees are now in place: Sussex Mother, Egremont Russet and Alfriston. We’ll be planting a further 11 Sussex apple variety trees and 6 walnut trees adding 20 trees to the existing 13-tree orchard planted in 2019.
More information ...Orchards and Fruit
We keep planting fruit trees!
MARCH 2019: Over the winter Brighton Permaculture Trust planted 86 fruit trees with local partners at nine locations. Here’s an update on the various projects we’ve been involved with this winter (2018-2019). Brighton & Hove Racehill Community Orchard, Whitehawk This winter we planted another four apple trees at Racehill Community Orchard. Two Sussex apple varieties…
More information ...Growing apples organically in Normandy
La Blutellerie Organic Orchard Over the last eighteen months people from Sussex and Lower Normandy have exchanged orchard skills, knowledge and enthusiasm. On two of our trips, Orchard without Borders visited La Blutellerie, near La Ferté Macé, home to an organic orchard of dessert apples. This was of particular interest to those visitors who were…
More information ...Birding In Normandy
Guest post by Dora Clouttick Orchards without Borders, or Vergers sans Frontières in French, is a collaboration between Collines Normandes (CPIE), Brighton Permaculture Trust and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership. It is predominantly funded by INTERREG, an EU fund to promote collaboration between different regions within Europe, and its overall aim is to promote orchards as part of…
More information ...French newspaper covers Normandy trip
Article covering Normandy trip, from French newspaper l’Orne combattante Orchards without Borders was selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England, co-funded by the ERDF
More information ...Visit to Normandy
Peter May reports on the Orchards Without Borders visit to Normandy in November 2013. The area of Lower Normandy near the town of Flers, where our visit was based, is gently undulating with small fields, hedgerows and woodlands with the occasional larger forest. Nearby the river Orne flows north towards Caen and the Channel. The…
More information ...Apple day exchange
Apple Day Exchange Article in Ouest-France, published Tuesday 17 September 2013 (translated) A delegation from Bocage will travel Saturday to an apple festival in Brighton, England, as the first step in a European exchange project. On Saturday, a delegation of five people – consisting of Évelyne Ramon from Collines Normandes CPIE, two representatives of the Bocage association Les Croqueurs…
More information ...Book: Apples & Orchards in Sussex
Apples and Orchards in Sussex Action in rural Sussex and Brighton Permaculture Trust are proud to have collaborated on Apples and Orchards in Sussex, a paperback book authored by Brian Short with contributions and editing by our very own Peter May and Anne-Marie Bur as well as Gail Vines. This book reflects a new enthusiasm for making fruit-growing in the county…
More information ...Book: Our Apple Orchards
In recent years we have worked with over one thousand children. Together we have planted orchards, often with rare Sussex apple varieties, cooked and juiced apples in schools, housing estates, parks and village recreation grounds across Sussex. Inspired by these experiences, we created the children’s book Our Apple Orchards with our partners Action in rural Sussex. The…
More information ...Video: How to graft a fruit tree
Brighton Permaculture Trust has released the second of its fruit tree advice series on YouTube: “How to graft an apple tree” (Greffer un pommier). In the video, you’ll see Peter May demonstrate the chip budding method. Peter is a horticulturalist who has propagated over a thousand Sussex apple trees. He is jointly responsible for the management of several community…
More information ...Video: How to plant a tree
Brighton Permaculture Trust, with Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, has released a short video on YouTube: “How to plant a fruit tree really well.” We help schools and communities plant orchards, and over the past ten years we’ve evolved a method for planting trees that, although it may seem quite elaborate, means that the trees get the best…
More information ...The value of community orchards.
Brighton Permaculture Trust has released a film about our community orchards on YouTube: The value of community orchards. Get involved If you would like to help us plant orchards or help us look after community orchards come and volunteer with Brighton Permaculture Trust. To learn more about looking after fruit trees consider coming to one of…
More information ...Aldwick Beauty
History of the Aldwick Beauty The Aldwick Beauty was grown originally by Mrs DM Alford, Aldwick, Bognor Regis and assessed by the National Fruit Trials in 1969. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see an Aldwick Beauty apple tree (planted 2010) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer…
More information ...Alfriston
History of the Alfriston apple Raised in the late 1700s by Mr Shepherd of Uckfield and originally named Shepherd’s Pippin. It was renamed Alfristonin 1819 by Mr Booker who lived in that village. It received an RHS Award of Merit in 1920. Currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Description of fruit…
More information ...Ashdown Seedling
History of the Ashdown Seedling apple Grown by John Clarke who founded the orchards of the Ashdown & General Land Company during the 1930s. His son Rory Clarke remembers how his father grew it from the pip of a bright red McIntosh apple that he had eaten. The original tree grew in the kitchen garden…
More information ...Bossom
History of the Bossom apple The last known tree growing in the garden of Miss Scott of Graffham blew down in the gale of 1986. On hearing of the damage to the tree, the Rev. Donald Johnson and Lady Caroline Egremont took graft material from the fallen tree and distributed it to the National Fruit…
More information ...Coronation
History of the Coronation apple The Coronation apple was raised by H C Princep at Buxted Park and introduced by nurseryman Pyne, Topsham, Devon. It was recorded in 1902 in the year of the coronation of Edward V11 and won an RHS Award of Merit in 1902. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton…
More information ...Crawley Beauty
History of the Crawley Beauty apple The apple was discovered growing in a garden in Tilgate near Crawley and introduced into cultivation by local nurserymen J Cheal & Sons. It was awarded an RHS Award of Merit in 1912. There is some confusion about its origin, as it is identical to the French variety Nouvelle France (National…
More information ...Crawley Reinette
History of the Crawley Reinette apple Introduced by J Cheal & Sons, Crawley. It was recorded as a variety by the RHS in 1902. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Crawley Reinette apple tree (planted 2010) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map). Description…
More information ...Dalice
History of the Dalice apple Raised 1933-37 by A.C. Nash, Scutes Farm, Hastings, East Sussex from the pip of a New Zealand Cox’s Orange Pippin. Description of fruit The Dalice apple has a rich, delicate, aromatic flavour which is reminiscent of but not as intense as Cox. The flavour can be less interesting and the…
More information ...Doctor Hogg
History of the Doctor Hogg apple The Doctor Hogg apple was grown by Head Gardener Mr S. Ford of Leonardslee, near Horsham and thought to be a seedling from the variety Calville Blanc. It was introduced about 1880 by W. Paul & Son, Herts and awarded an RHS First Class Certificate in 1878. It is currently…
More information ...Duck’s Bill
History of the Duck’s Bill apple The Duck’s Bill was introduced by Fred Streeter, Head Gardner at Petworth House in 1937. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Duck’s Bill apple tree (planted 2009) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map). Description of fruit…
More information ...Eastbourne Pippin
History of the Eastbourne Pippin apple The Eastbourne Pippin was grown by E.A. Lindley from Eastbourne 1930 and believed to have been grown from the pip of a Newton Pippin. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see an Eastbourne Pippin apple tree (planted 2011) in Home…
More information ...Edmund Jupp
History of the Edmund Jupp apple The Edmund Jupp apple was grown in the Horsham area and first recorded as a variety in 1862. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see an Edmund Jupp apple tree (planted 2011) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map). Description…
More information ...Egremont Russet
History of the Egremont Russet apple As the name suggests, Egremont Russet probably arose on the estate of Lord Egremont, Petworth. As Joan Morgan writes, “The gardens were famed for their fruit, particularly in the 1800s, when a number of new varieties were raised, but none bearing this name. Nevertheless, head gardener Fred Streeter always…
More information ...First and Last
History of the First and Last apple The First and Last apple was first described in 1860. Hogg (1851) wrote that it is “much grown in the northern part of the county about Horsham and sent to Brighton market.” It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can…
More information ...Forge
History of the Forge apple The apple is also known as Sussex Forge and arose at either Forge Farm or near old iron forges around East Grinstead. Robert Hogg described it in 1851, but by then it was well known. The variety is known as the “Cottagers Apple” and was widely grown in north Sussex and Surrey in…
More information ...Golden Bounty
History of the Golden Bounty apple The Golden Bounty apple was raised in about 1940 by A.C. Nash of Scutes Farm, Hastings. The parents of this variety are Cox’s Orange Pippin crossed with probably Early Victoria. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Golden…
More information ...Golden Pippin
History of the Golden Pippin apple The origin of the apple is uncertain, as historically there were many similar apples with different names. It is claimed that it originally grew at Parham Park near Arundel. Golden Pippin was first recorded as a variety in 1629 by Parkinson, though it was well known by late 1600s. The Golden…
More information ...Green Custard
History of the Green Custard apple The Green Custard apple variety was originally grown by the nurseryman J. Cheal & Sons of Crawley and received in 1941. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Description of fruit The Green Custard is a large apple that is tall to…
More information ...Hawkridge
History of the Hawkridge apple Robert Hogg wrote that Hawkridge “is a very popular apple in East Sussex especially around Hailsham, Heathfield and those parts where it is met with in almost every orchard and garden” (Hogg 1851). The origin is Hawkridge Farm, Hellingly, near Hailsham. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture…
More information ...Keed’s Cottage
History of the Keed’s Cottage apple Keed’s Cottage comes from a very old tree growing at Jessamine Cottage, Pulborough, and was recognised as a variety in 1947. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Description of fruit Keed’s Cottage is a large apple, flat-rectangular to conic in shape…
More information ...Knobby Russet
apple History of the Knobby Russet apple Knobby Russet was first shown to the London Horticultural Society by Haslar Capron who came from Midhurst in 1820. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Knobby Russet apple tree (planted 2010) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park…
More information ...Lady Hopetown
History of the Lady Hopetown apple The Lady Hopetown dates from the National Fruit trials of 1950 from W Barnes of Bexhill-on-Sea. Description of fruit The fruit is greenish yellow with a crisp sharp fruity flavour. Season of use The fruit can be picked in mid October and stored until March and on to May…
More information ...Mannington’s Pearmain apple
History of the Mannington’s Pearmain apple The Mannington’s Pearmain apple was first grown about 1770 from cider pomace thrown under a hedge in the garden of Uckfield blacksmith, Mr Turley. His grandson, John Mannington, local butcher and keen fruitman, sent it to the London Horticultural Society in 1847. Hogg stated, “Mr Mannington was a man…
More information ...Mareda apple
History of the Mareda apple The Mareda apple was first grown in 1926 by A.C. Nash of Scutes Farm near Hastings, from a pip of the American apple Winesap. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Mareda apple tree (planted 2010) in Home Farm Orchard,…
More information ...Mike Rowney
History of Mike Rowney The Mike Rowney apple variety stems from a tree grown from a seedling in the garden of Mike and Anne Rowney, Litlington during the 1980s. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s -:- National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Description of fruit The Mike Rowney apple is medium sized…
More information ...Nanny
History of Nanny The Nanny apple variety was first grown in either West Sussex or Surrey and recorded as a variety in 1842. Hogg (1851) declared it to be “a dessert apple of excellent quality and when in perfection a first rate fruit … This is met with about Havant and other districts of Sussex…
More information ...Petworth Non Pareil
History of Petworth Non Pareil According to Reverend Donald Johnson, the variety has not been seen in the past 20 years. It was probably bred by the third Lord Egremont and his head gardener Mr Slade at Petworth House early in the 19th century. It was first recorded as a variety in 1816. Description of…
More information ...Rougemont
History of Rougemont The Rougemont apple variety was thought to have been raised by nurserymen J. Cheal of Crawley, Sussex. It was first recorded in 1888. Description of fruit The Rougemont is a dessert apple. The fruit is scarlet, flushed, tall and ribbed. The taste is rather sour, with soft, green-tinged cream flesh. Season of…
More information ...Saltcote Pippin
History of Saltcote Pippin The Saltcote Pippin is a variety cultivated by James Hoad of Rye from either a Ribston Pippin or Radford Beauty seedling. First recorded as a variety in 1918, it was awarded an RHS Award of Merit 1928. Craig Sams, who grows the variety, writes: “The Rother at Rye is tidal and used…
More information ...Stanmer Pippin
History of Stanmer Pippin The tree was grown from the pip of a supermarket apple by Anne Markwick at Stanmer Park during the 1960s and raised by Plumpton College Horticultural Training Centre, Stanmer Park, Brighton & Hove. Description of fruit The fruit is medium in size with a round conical shape. The skin is flushed…
More information ...Sussex Mother
History of Sussex Mother The variety was grown around Heathfield in the nineteenth century and described in 1884 by Robert Hogg. It is still found in Sussex gardens. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s -:- National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Sussex Mother apple tree (planted 2010) in Home…
More information ...Tinsley Quince
History of Tinsley Quince The Tinsley Quince apple variety was received by the National Fruit Trials in 1942 from R. Fairman, Crawley. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s -:- National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Tinsley Quince apple tree (planted 2009) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map). Description…
More information ...Wadhurst Pippin
History of Wadhurst Pippin Both Hogg and Bunyard write that the variety was grown early in the nineteenth century at Wadhurst. It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s -:- National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Wadhurst Pippin apple tree (planted 2010) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map). Description of…
More information ...More orchards planted or expanded last winter
Published ON 14 MARCH 2016. Brighton Permaculture Trust planted 152 fruit trees with local partners at eleven locations last year. Here’s an update on the various projects we’ve been involved with this winter. Brighton & Hove Racehill Community Orchard, Whitehawk This winter we completed planting at Racehill Community Orchard. Sixty six apples, pears, plums & damsons were planted this winter, taking…
More information ...3,733 trees planted last winter
ON 28 APRIL 2015. Brighton Permaculture Trust is proud to report that, working with a number of partners, last winter we planted 228 grafted fruit or nut trees and 3,505 seedling trees (planted for fruit, nuts, wildlife and shelter). Brighton Permaculture Trust raised much of the funding for this work and began planting orchards sponsored by Infinity Foods. Contact us if your…
More information ...Buckingham Park Primary School
ON 05 MARCH 2015. On 5 March, Brighton Permaculture Trust helped pupils from Buckingham Primary School in Shoreham plant a school orchard. The pupils then used an apple press to make apple juice with the help of juicer extraordinaire Stephan Gehrels and cooked an apple crumble with Community Chef Robin van Creveld. The event was covered by the Shoreham Herald,…
More information ...Planting trees with Brighton Permaculture Trust
ON 24 APRIL 2014. Brighton Permaculture Trust helped communities and school to plant more trees than ever before this winter. This season we’ve helped to plant around 170 grafted fruit trees and over 2100 mostly native seed grown trees for fruit, nuts, wildlife and shelter. Here’s an update on the various projects we’ve been involved with…
More information ...Get help in planting your own school or community orchard
ON 23 JANUARY 2014. Brighton Permaculture Trust would love to hear from community groups and schools who would like our support to plant new orchards (or restore old orchards). We are making two new funding applications at the moment: In the north of Brighton, we are looking to support communities to plant orchards in Hollingbury, Coldean,…
More information ...