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.
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!
As a new season approaches and the first 'early UK apples' appear in farm shops and the prospect of vintage apple and pear quality this season looks very promising!
Via BAPL Orchard Watch: "Good crop, UK apple and pear growers share their predictions for the 2025 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.
Young apples and pears are now growing and ripening slowly in orchards across the UK. Growers have been reviewing their crops closely and have set out the following predictions for the coming season:
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 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
This week, The English Apple Man takes a close look at the comprehensive Census carried out by BAPL(British Apples and Pears. Under the leadership of Ali Capper, Chair of BAPL and a very experienced apple and pear industry figurehead for a decade or more now!
Supported by a strong board of directors encompassing leading growers and fruit industry representatives, BAPL has over the last few years increased annually the pressure on Government and Supermarkets by raising the awareness of the top fruit industry's 'state of health'
As part of its long-term strategic planning, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the top fruit grower organisation, has conducted two in-depth studies (orchard census and storage survey) of current and future UK apple and pear orchard infrastructure.
The orchard census and storage survey results reveal the growth potential of British apples and pears, the potential risks of inaction and what practical steps are needed to secure the sector's long-term success.
On Friday 18th The English Apple Man accepted an invitation to NP Seymour's 'Open Afternoon'
NP Seymour invites growers to come and see the UK's first electric Fendt e107 V Vario
Accompanied by my son Stuart, who works for the NFU, we intended to only stay for an hour or two!
BUT it was such an enjoyable afternoon spent with Nick Seymour and his daughter Claire Seymour and several old friends who were also invited to the afternoon, we spent quality time discussing the 'new and older Fendt tractors' that have been integral to our farming lives over 40 years. Nourished by cold drinks (it was a hot afternoon) and fuelled with a tasty barbecue cooked by Claire's son Eli, and served by Mandy Hounsell Education officer for National Fruit Show and a close friend of Claire.
"Started by Nick and Barbara Seymour in 1974, our family-run business is today headed up by the second-generation, Claire Seymour, who remains dedicated to helping fruit farmers, hop growers, packhouse managers, and vineyard owners with all their equipment needs".
Fruit Focus is an annual 'one day event' held at NIAB East Malling held in July
My apologies to my readers for the VERY late publication of this week's Journal - Sunday @ 7pm
This is an event that The English Apple Man always attends, but this year's Fruit Focus fell on the same day as my old friend Hugh Curtis Thanksgiving Service was held. See last week's Journal.
Very kindly, Fruit Focus organisers gave me access to their picture gallery and a review of the day's highlights.
Fruit Focus is always an enjoyable occasion, great for catching with old friends and viewing the latest technological advances from the brilliant scientists at NIAB.
At my age it's a regular occurrence, the passing of friends and associates. The most recent loss was particularly poignant with the loss of someone who was not only a colleague and friend, but who gave me an opportunity to change the course of my life!
This week family and friends paid our respects at the 'Service of Thanksgiving' for Hugh Curtis at Barham Crematorium
Sadly - Hugh Curtis passed away very recently at the age of 94. Hugh was for many years Head of Quality Assurance at Home Grown Fruit, before retiring in 1996.
Back in 1994 Hugh gave me an opportunity to join Home Grown Fruit (HGF) as a Quality Insurance Inspector changing my life from a retired fruit grower into a world of QA and leading to a 'corporate world'
On Wednesday fellow colleagues and their wives joined Hugh's son Paul and members of Hugh's family and friends as we showed our respects and bade farewell to this remarkable old friend.
Hugh Richard Curtis was born on the 26th October 1930 and passed away on 8th June 2025.
He had two sons, Paul and Christopher. Paul resides in Canterbury with his family and Christopher lives in USA with his family.
The Funeral Service was conducted by Eric Harmer who read the Eulogy to Hugh on behalf of the family.
Hugh was a very capable man, brilliant at woodworking and a master of do it yourself tasks. In retirement he was a prolific painter of water colours.
At the Wake where we all gathered to reminisce, Paul brought in Hugh's paintings and offered us all an opportunity to choose one each to keep as a memory of Hugh.
This page initially shows the latest journals. You can use a journal's link to view the full story.
It is now much easier to find a particular journal of interest. Just type your search terms into the search box or select the month and/or year and click Submit.
I have completed the process of reworking my entire archive of journal pages into the style of the new website to make them more accessible to users of mobile phones etc.
Although the content now adapts to the size of the display, some of the archived journals still have photographs that won't fit and so get cropped. Archived journals are best viewed on a computer screen!