Sunday, 20 December 2009
Tree planting postponed
Hi, Due to the frozen ground we will have to postpone the fruit tree planting in Stanks Park. I will be back in contact when I have had a chance to see what the weather will be like between Christmas and New Year. The trees are fine as I heeled them in when they arrived at the end of November and we can afford to wait until the weather is more suitable. Regards, Henry Paul 07977-131635
Thursday, 17 December 2009
St Andrews Orchard Group
The St Andrews Orchard Group will be planting 20 fruit trees in Stanks Park (behind Mac’s papershop on Lamond Drive) with the aim of establishing a Commonwealth Community Orchard in St Andrews. Fife Council has approved the establishment of the Orchard in Stanks Park, between Lamond Drive and Kilrymont Place, and they have funded the purchase of the first 20 fruit trees as per the website:http://standrewsorchardgroup.blogspot.com/ Planting will be on Monday 21 or Tuesday 22 December depending on the weather. If you would like to take part please meet at 1:00pm at the park and further details can be obtained from Henry Paul (07977-131635).
Saturday, 5 December 2009
The trees have been delivered and I am hoping to plant them either on the afternoon of Monday 21 or Tuesday 22 December depending on the weather. If anyone is interested in helping please contact me for details and if possible adopt a tree, if you would like further information about this project please contact me by e-mail: henrythenav@hotmail.com or 07977-131635 or view our blog: http://standrewsorchardgroup.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Planned planting dates
Fife Council have approved the establishemnt of the Commonwealth Orchard in Stanks Park and they have funded the purchase of the first 20 fruit trees as per the order below. The trees will be delivered in mid-December and planted during the Christmas holidays. If anyone is interested in helping please contact me for details and if possible adopt a tree.
Henry Paul 07977-131635 or henrythenav@hotmail.com
Henry Paul 07977-131635 or henrythenav@hotmail.com
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Fruit tree list
The website for the trees is: www.butterworthsorganicnursery.co.uk
Dessert Apples
1. DISCOVERY - (A) (3) (N) (V2), Aug. - Sept.M27, M26, MM106, MM111(BEAUTY OF BATH X WORCESTER PEARMAIN)Bright red flushed apple, crisp and juicy, when left to ripen on tree. Tip and spur bearer. Recommended by most organic authorities. "The best early variety by far". (Geoff Hamilton)
2. KING OF THE PIPPINS - (B) (4) (S) (V2), Oct - Dec. MM106U.K.or France, probably about 1770. Also used for cooking and cider. An oblong shape, orange-red over gold. Bitter-sweet flavour.
3. JAMES GRIEVE - (C) (3) (S) (V2), Sept. M26,MM106, MM111 Well known Scottish apple originating near Edinburgh. The fruit is yellow,speckled and striped with orange. A good pollinator. Prone to canker, but can be good in the East.
4. OSLIN - (A/B) (2) (N) (V2) Sept., MM106.
Known 1815 but probably much older, associated either with Arbroath Abbey or Lindores Abbey, Newburgh, possibly originally French. Slightly scented, rich, distinctive taste with hint of aniseed
5. THORLE PIPPIN - (D) (2) (N) (V3) Tip Bearer, Sept., M26Scottish, first described 1831. A small, flat, red fruit with an agreeable if sharp taste.6. KATY - (A) (3) (N) (V3), Sept - Oct, M26, MM106(JAMES GRIEVE X WORCESTER PEARMAIN)Raised in Sweden, where known as Katja. Some of the flavour of each parent. Bright red flush on greenish-yellow background. Widely successful.
7. BLOODY PLOUGHMAN - (C) (3) (N) (V3) Sept - Nov. MM106, MM111Arose Carse of Gowrie about 1880. Named after a ploughman who was caught stealing the apples and was shot by a gamekeeper! A ribbed, red apple with a fine taste, better in the East unless sprayed for scab.
8. COUL BLUSH - (A/C) (2) (N) (V3) Sept-Nov, M26, MM111. Britain’s most northerly apple variety raised at Coul, Ross-shire in 1827. Gold with faint flush. Sweet, soft cream flesh. Also makes good sauce.
9. PEASGOOD'S NONSUCH (B)(3)(S)(V2), SEPT-OCT, M26Raised by a Mrs Peasgood, Grantham, Lincs. Around 1855. A handsome, large, orange-red brisk and juicy fruit which also cooks to a sweet puree.
10. NORFOLK ROYAL RUSSET - (A/B)(4*)(N)(V2) Sept-Dec., MM106Raised Norfolk, 1908 with Russet sport arising same area in 1970's. Known to do well in both the E. and W. of southern Scotland, with an excellent sweet-sharp flavour even at the end of it’s season.
11. CAMBUSNETHAN PIPPIN - (A) (4) (N) (V1) Part Tip Bearer Oct - Nov, MM106, Arose either in Clydesdale around 1750 or possibly earlier at Stirling. According to David Storrie "an excellent scab-free desert apple popular in both the east and the west."
12. RED WINDSOR (B)(2)(S)(V1), SEPT-OCT., MM106(RED SPORT OF ALKMENE, GEHEIMRAT DR. OLDENBURG X COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN)Cox-type with crisp, juicy flesh. Aromatic. Disease-resistant. Known to do well at 600 feet in central Scotland.
13. PORT ALLEN RUSSET - (A) (2) (N) (V3) Oct-Nov., MM106
Probably from the hamlet of the same name in Perthshire, age unknown. A conical russeted fruit with an even orange flush on yellow background. Brisk, rich flavour.
Cooking Apples
14. LASS O’GOWRIE - (D) (2) (N) (V3) Aug-Sept. MM106Perthshire, described 1883. Well-flavoured apple keeping shape when cooked.
15. STIRLING CASTLE - (B) (3*), S, V1, Sept. - Dec. M26, MM111Raised by John Christie, Stirling in 1820's. Widely planted in the 19th Century and a still valued garden variety in Scotland and elsewhere. Well flavoured green-yellow fruit. Compact growth
Pears
16. GORHAM - (B) (4) (N) (V2) Sept-Oct.Long, pale yellow pear, like "Williams" but less scab prone.
17. CONFERENCE - (B/C) (3) (S) (V2) Oct-NovThe best -known pear, can be excellent flavour but not scab-resistant, so best in drier areas. Partially self-fertile.
18. LOUISE BONNE OF JERSEY (B)(2)(N)(V2) Oct.Raised 1780, Normandy. Pale green with red flush. Sweet and juicy flesh. Known to do very well in parts of eastern Scotland.
Plum
19. OPAL - (D) (3) (S) (V1) July-Aug. Pixy, St Julian ‘A’A reddish-purple fruit with a similar superb flavour to "Victoria", very useful where bacterial canker is problematic, as in certain parts of the west.
20. RIVERS EARLY PROLIFIC (D) (2) (Part S) (V2) Pixy, St Julian A.
The best early cooking plum, also a good dessert when fully-ripe. A blue-purple fruit, hardy and prolific.
Dessert Apples
1. DISCOVERY - (A) (3) (N) (V2), Aug. - Sept.M27, M26, MM106, MM111(BEAUTY OF BATH X WORCESTER PEARMAIN)Bright red flushed apple, crisp and juicy, when left to ripen on tree. Tip and spur bearer. Recommended by most organic authorities. "The best early variety by far". (Geoff Hamilton)
2. KING OF THE PIPPINS - (B) (4) (S) (V2), Oct - Dec. MM106U.K.or France, probably about 1770. Also used for cooking and cider. An oblong shape, orange-red over gold. Bitter-sweet flavour.
3. JAMES GRIEVE - (C) (3) (S) (V2), Sept. M26,MM106, MM111 Well known Scottish apple originating near Edinburgh. The fruit is yellow,speckled and striped with orange. A good pollinator. Prone to canker, but can be good in the East.
4. OSLIN - (A/B) (2) (N) (V2) Sept., MM106.
Known 1815 but probably much older, associated either with Arbroath Abbey or Lindores Abbey, Newburgh, possibly originally French. Slightly scented, rich, distinctive taste with hint of aniseed
5. THORLE PIPPIN - (D) (2) (N) (V3) Tip Bearer, Sept., M26Scottish, first described 1831. A small, flat, red fruit with an agreeable if sharp taste.6. KATY - (A) (3) (N) (V3), Sept - Oct, M26, MM106(JAMES GRIEVE X WORCESTER PEARMAIN)Raised in Sweden, where known as Katja. Some of the flavour of each parent. Bright red flush on greenish-yellow background. Widely successful.
7. BLOODY PLOUGHMAN - (C) (3) (N) (V3) Sept - Nov. MM106, MM111Arose Carse of Gowrie about 1880. Named after a ploughman who was caught stealing the apples and was shot by a gamekeeper! A ribbed, red apple with a fine taste, better in the East unless sprayed for scab.
8. COUL BLUSH - (A/C) (2) (N) (V3) Sept-Nov, M26, MM111. Britain’s most northerly apple variety raised at Coul, Ross-shire in 1827. Gold with faint flush. Sweet, soft cream flesh. Also makes good sauce.
9. PEASGOOD'S NONSUCH (B)(3)(S)(V2), SEPT-OCT, M26Raised by a Mrs Peasgood, Grantham, Lincs. Around 1855. A handsome, large, orange-red brisk and juicy fruit which also cooks to a sweet puree.
10. NORFOLK ROYAL RUSSET - (A/B)(4*)(N)(V2) Sept-Dec., MM106Raised Norfolk, 1908 with Russet sport arising same area in 1970's. Known to do well in both the E. and W. of southern Scotland, with an excellent sweet-sharp flavour even at the end of it’s season.
11. CAMBUSNETHAN PIPPIN - (A) (4) (N) (V1) Part Tip Bearer Oct - Nov, MM106, Arose either in Clydesdale around 1750 or possibly earlier at Stirling. According to David Storrie "an excellent scab-free desert apple popular in both the east and the west."
12. RED WINDSOR (B)(2)(S)(V1), SEPT-OCT., MM106(RED SPORT OF ALKMENE, GEHEIMRAT DR. OLDENBURG X COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN)Cox-type with crisp, juicy flesh. Aromatic. Disease-resistant. Known to do well at 600 feet in central Scotland.
13. PORT ALLEN RUSSET - (A) (2) (N) (V3) Oct-Nov., MM106
Probably from the hamlet of the same name in Perthshire, age unknown. A conical russeted fruit with an even orange flush on yellow background. Brisk, rich flavour.
Cooking Apples
14. LASS O’GOWRIE - (D) (2) (N) (V3) Aug-Sept. MM106Perthshire, described 1883. Well-flavoured apple keeping shape when cooked.
15. STIRLING CASTLE - (B) (3*), S, V1, Sept. - Dec. M26, MM111Raised by John Christie, Stirling in 1820's. Widely planted in the 19th Century and a still valued garden variety in Scotland and elsewhere. Well flavoured green-yellow fruit. Compact growth
Pears
16. GORHAM - (B) (4) (N) (V2) Sept-Oct.Long, pale yellow pear, like "Williams" but less scab prone.
17. CONFERENCE - (B/C) (3) (S) (V2) Oct-NovThe best -known pear, can be excellent flavour but not scab-resistant, so best in drier areas. Partially self-fertile.
18. LOUISE BONNE OF JERSEY (B)(2)(N)(V2) Oct.Raised 1780, Normandy. Pale green with red flush. Sweet and juicy flesh. Known to do very well in parts of eastern Scotland.
Plum
19. OPAL - (D) (3) (S) (V1) July-Aug. Pixy, St Julian ‘A’A reddish-purple fruit with a similar superb flavour to "Victoria", very useful where bacterial canker is problematic, as in certain parts of the west.
20. RIVERS EARLY PROLIFIC (D) (2) (Part S) (V2) Pixy, St Julian A.
The best early cooking plum, also a good dessert when fully-ripe. A blue-purple fruit, hardy and prolific.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
I am proposing to establish a Community Orchard in St Andrews and if you would like further information about this project please contact me by e-mail henrythenav@hotmail.com or 07977-131635.
The reasons for setting up a community orchard are as follows:
1. To reduce the amount of CO2 produced in St Andrews by planting 20-30 new trees.
2. Encourage local people to value the fruit they produce in their own gardens.
3. Allow people with small/no garden to help grow fruit.
4. Reduce food miles if produce is sold at the local farmer’s market.
5. Educate children in local schools about fruit growing.
Community orchards are not a new idea and Fife Council helped establish a 70 tree orchard at Newburgh and the following is copied from the Newburgh Community Orchard website.
http://www.communityfoodandhealth.org.uk/
Newburgh Orchard Group
Newburgh Orchard Group is a voluntary organisation whose activities take place in Newburgh in North East Fife. Its activities involve the picking and sale to the public of plums, apples, pears and other fruit grown in private orchards in Newburgh and the immediate area. It also organise demonstrations of tree pruning and fruit recipes. Funding was obtained for a survey which has identified over 1000 fruit trees in Newburgh including some rare varieties.
The Orchard Group has worked with local primary schools to introduce children to local fruit and fruit growing, and has worked with Fife Council to establish a community orchard of 80 fruit trees next to Newburgh Primary School. The involvement with schools aims to develop an interest in fruit growing in the young, and through their influence get their parents on board, as well as encouraging healthy eating and reducing food miles. It aims to encourage people who have fruit trees in their gardens to value their trees and look after them so that the 900-year old heritage of fruit growing in Newburgh will continue and develop.
The Group was set up about five years ago as an offshoot of the local History Society. It works with local schools, Fife Council and WECAN! (Working for Environmental Community Action Now, based in Crosshill, Fife). It has also worked with Edinburgh Community Food Initiative and with an online restaurant supplier, and has been interviewed by Radio Scotland and featured in the Landward TV programme. The Group will be collaborating with the Fife Arts Cooperative whose resident artist will develop a community project on the topic of The Land.
The Group believes that its activities will preserve the fruit growing heritage which was begun by the monks of Lindores Abbey in the 12th century, and will also have an economic benefit to the town through the sale of fruit and through related tourism.
Our annual fruit sales, based at a stall in Newburgh High Street, have increased every year in the weight and value of fruit and the number of jars of home made jam sold to the public. Most of the money from the sales is passed back to the local people who grow the fruit.
Some customers travel considerable distances to buy the plums, and they often spend money in the shops and cafés in Newburgh.
The amount of fruit which is picked by the orchard owners (rather than fruit which they have allowed the Group to pick) has increased as a proportion of the total, showing that the owners are taking a greater interest. Its main activities have grown but not changed, and the Group feels that this consistency is an important factor in its success. It has achieved this growth by surprising the orchard owners with the amount of money that their fruit has earned, and by targeted press releases to local newspapers and radio just before the fruit sales.
However, the number of people who are prepared to take an active role in the Group has diminished for various personal reasons.
Its plans are therefore focused on encouraging the growers to pick the fruit themselves, so that the continued success of the fruit sales will support its aims over the longer term.
"There are many courses and environmentally related events which look very worthy but tend to be time and money-consuming. Although funding may be available, with limited numbers of people who themselves have limited time and energy, it is important to maintain focus on the principal strategy. The Group have found it very useful to know someone whose horizons are broader and who can advise and make useful contacts."
"It takes a long time for people outside the core group to take the strategy on board and to begin to work with it, so the principal strategy should be easy to understand and down-to-earth, and consistency over a period of years is very important. Getting local politicians on board can be very useful. Every opportunity should be taken for publicity to reinforce the message and show it is working, and some originality will always help."
St Andrews Community Orchard
I am planning to use Stanks Park between Lamond Drive and Kilrymont Place. A plan of the location of this park is below.
I believe this park would make an ideal community orchard for several reasons. Firstly, the park is on a slope and is not suitable for ball games and has several signs forbidding the playing of any ball games in the park. Luckily, for the local footballers there are several more suitable parks within easy walking distance. Secondly, the main users of the park are dog walkers and an extension of its use to a community orchard would not affect them. Finally, the other users tend to be local youths on their bikes or playing in the wood alongside the stream. Again they should be able to carry on their activities.
The reasons for setting up a community orchard are as follows:
1. To reduce the amount of CO2 produced in St Andrews by planting 20-30 new trees.
2. Encourage local people to value the fruit they produce in their own gardens.
3. Allow people with small/no garden to help grow fruit.
4. Reduce food miles if produce is sold at the local farmer’s market.
5. Educate children in local schools about fruit growing.
Community orchards are not a new idea and Fife Council helped establish a 70 tree orchard at Newburgh and the following is copied from the Newburgh Community Orchard website.
http://www.communityfoodandhealth.org.uk/
Newburgh Orchard Group
Newburgh Orchard Group is a voluntary organisation whose activities take place in Newburgh in North East Fife. Its activities involve the picking and sale to the public of plums, apples, pears and other fruit grown in private orchards in Newburgh and the immediate area. It also organise demonstrations of tree pruning and fruit recipes. Funding was obtained for a survey which has identified over 1000 fruit trees in Newburgh including some rare varieties.
The Orchard Group has worked with local primary schools to introduce children to local fruit and fruit growing, and has worked with Fife Council to establish a community orchard of 80 fruit trees next to Newburgh Primary School. The involvement with schools aims to develop an interest in fruit growing in the young, and through their influence get their parents on board, as well as encouraging healthy eating and reducing food miles. It aims to encourage people who have fruit trees in their gardens to value their trees and look after them so that the 900-year old heritage of fruit growing in Newburgh will continue and develop.
The Group was set up about five years ago as an offshoot of the local History Society. It works with local schools, Fife Council and WECAN! (Working for Environmental Community Action Now, based in Crosshill, Fife). It has also worked with Edinburgh Community Food Initiative and with an online restaurant supplier, and has been interviewed by Radio Scotland and featured in the Landward TV programme. The Group will be collaborating with the Fife Arts Cooperative whose resident artist will develop a community project on the topic of The Land.
The Group believes that its activities will preserve the fruit growing heritage which was begun by the monks of Lindores Abbey in the 12th century, and will also have an economic benefit to the town through the sale of fruit and through related tourism.
Our annual fruit sales, based at a stall in Newburgh High Street, have increased every year in the weight and value of fruit and the number of jars of home made jam sold to the public. Most of the money from the sales is passed back to the local people who grow the fruit.
Some customers travel considerable distances to buy the plums, and they often spend money in the shops and cafés in Newburgh.
The amount of fruit which is picked by the orchard owners (rather than fruit which they have allowed the Group to pick) has increased as a proportion of the total, showing that the owners are taking a greater interest. Its main activities have grown but not changed, and the Group feels that this consistency is an important factor in its success. It has achieved this growth by surprising the orchard owners with the amount of money that their fruit has earned, and by targeted press releases to local newspapers and radio just before the fruit sales.
However, the number of people who are prepared to take an active role in the Group has diminished for various personal reasons.
Its plans are therefore focused on encouraging the growers to pick the fruit themselves, so that the continued success of the fruit sales will support its aims over the longer term.
"There are many courses and environmentally related events which look very worthy but tend to be time and money-consuming. Although funding may be available, with limited numbers of people who themselves have limited time and energy, it is important to maintain focus on the principal strategy. The Group have found it very useful to know someone whose horizons are broader and who can advise and make useful contacts."
"It takes a long time for people outside the core group to take the strategy on board and to begin to work with it, so the principal strategy should be easy to understand and down-to-earth, and consistency over a period of years is very important. Getting local politicians on board can be very useful. Every opportunity should be taken for publicity to reinforce the message and show it is working, and some originality will always help."
St Andrews Community Orchard
I am planning to use Stanks Park between Lamond Drive and Kilrymont Place. A plan of the location of this park is below.
I believe this park would make an ideal community orchard for several reasons. Firstly, the park is on a slope and is not suitable for ball games and has several signs forbidding the playing of any ball games in the park. Luckily, for the local footballers there are several more suitable parks within easy walking distance. Secondly, the main users of the park are dog walkers and an extension of its use to a community orchard would not affect them. Finally, the other users tend to be local youths on their bikes or playing in the wood alongside the stream. Again they should be able to carry on their activities.
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