Wassail Details - January 2023

LIMPSFIELD COMMUNITY ORCHARD WASSAIL 

Sunday 15^th January 2023 

This is a family-friendly event. Please label your child with your mobile number. 

Donations very welcome to help us cover our costs. 

October 2022: Harvest time in the community

As some of you may know, the Orchard isn't just for those who volunteer with us but for the whole community. This month, Messy Church had a wonderful time celebrating Harvest Time down at the Orchard. Lots of families turned up to enjoy the craft activities, the story and songs, and the general ambience. They finished the afternoon with apple juice (naturally) and homemade biscuits, while the adults enjoyed some apple cake! All in all it was a great success and we are pleased the local community has been able to enjoy the wonderful space that is looked after so well by our team of volunteers. 

September 2022 Round Up

What a busy month we've had! This blog post is jam-packed so suggest you make sure you are sitting comfortably, maybe even with a cuppa to hand! 

We are winners!

We kicked off September by entering the Hurst Green Garden Club Summer Show with some of our very own apples and pears from the Orchard. Bountiful, Meridian and Ellison's Orange all made an appearance but the star was our Conference Pears which won 1st place! 

🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎

Special Visit

Next up, we were treated to a rather special visit from RHS Fruit Specialist Jim Arbury and RHS Fruit Advisor Lenka Cooke. Our very own Sue put together this helpful report of the visit and while it relates specifically to the Orchard, those of you with your own fruit trees in gardens or allotments may also find it useful. 

They felt the Orchard was doing well, with most trees thriving, 12 years since their planting in November 2010. Jim was interested in the choice of cultivars and recommended Cockle Pippin which was raised in Godstone in the early 1800s. It's a Russet and resistant to canker and rust. Another local culinary apples, Crawley Beauty was found in a garden in Tilgate near Crawley in 1870. It should be used when freshly picked as it does not store well. There are Crawley Beauty growing in the pub garden of the Carpenter's Arms in Limpsfield Chart. 

Jim's Comments: 

• Trees are in some cases too shaded for good growth and suffer from the proximity to the large woodland trees which surround the site (Oak and Beech mainly) 
• The large Copper Beech in the Orchard also sucks up moisture and provides heavy shade too
• Watering which was available for the first time in 2022 has made an appreciable difference.
• There is canker on several trees. This should be pruned out vigorously when seen which can be in the summer. Smaller areas can be scraped out. Trees can grow through this.
• Summer pruning is also recommended where heavy growth and overcrowding is seen. This was done in 2022 on the Fiesta.
• Winter moth caterpillar discussed briefly. Our regime of applying sticky barriers to the trees in November and then exposing the soil under each tree in November /December approved. We were lucky in 2022….
• Any apples with brown rot should be removed immediately especially those left on the trees in the winter
• Damage caused by Rosy Apple Aphid seen on a few trees. These stunted apples should be removed when seen
• Scab is exacerbated by overcrowding.  By ensuring a clear centre of the tree light and air can reduce this problem 
• Codling moth apparent on Lord Lambourne. Improve thinning of the fruit to reduce this and ensure all fallen fruit are collected up. Pheromone traps do not always work and are not recommended.
• Pear rust of no significance. 2022 not a bad year….
• Pear Stony Pit was observed in a few Buerre Hardy pears. This is caused by a virus and leads to a stony looking core. There is currently no treatment. Affected pears should be burnt. Use sterilised tools when pruning.
• Fruit insufficiently thinned on Herefordshire Russets, and Conference Pear. They have both cropped very heavily this year and that can lead to biennial crops as the tree struggles to regain strength.
• Solitary bees are important for pollination. They need bare areas of ground in which to nest and overwinter.
• Our current practice of manuring each tree in spring and covering the whole tree site with woodchip mulch is considered invaluable for the health of the trees. No further feeding should be necessary.
• Some trees need particularly hard pruning this winter (22/23) to reduce height and open up the centres (Including Fiesta, Bramley Seedling and Arthur Turner) Ensure tools sterilised between trees (spirit or other commercial product)
• Damsons should be thinned with crossing branches cut out in April once growth begins.

Taking notes from Lenka

Jotting down Jim's comments! 

An example of canker - a small area of dead tissue

Group photo with our special guests Lenka and Jim 

Thank you Sue for the detailed report and to Alan & Helen for the photographs!

🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎

Harvest & Fruit Tasting

Lastly, we enjoyed two harvest and fruit tasting days at the Orchard this September. We have had a wonderful crop of both apples and pears this year, the best we've ever had! The harvest is being distributed in various ways including to Orchard Friends, the Memorial Stores and Limpsfield School. A box has also been donated to the Food Bank in Hurst Green.

Hunter gathers for the treasure hunt! 

Selection of fruits and cake

We were so fortunate with the weather which no doubt contributed to the great turn out of people who came to join us to sample the fruit. There was a treasure hunt for the children who all did a great job at finding the objects. We also had a wonderful selection of baked apple cakes that were brought to the tasting days by generous volunteers and attendees. Our very own Helen Ellson has kindly given us a copy of her recipe which we've included in this blog post. Do let us know if you give it a try and how you get on! 

Limpsfield Apple Cake

Ingredients: 

🍏 400g apples (mixture of cooking / eating apples) peeled and finely diced

🍏 125g mixed dried fruit

🍏 250g self raising flour (1/3 wholemeal is nice)

🍏 125g butter

🍏 125g brown sugar (although you can choose to use much less - 70g)

🍏 1 large egg (beaten)

🍏 1 tsp cinnamon

🍏 1 tsp mixed spice

Method: 

🍎 Line 8"/20cm diameter cake tin

🍎 rub butter & flour together

🍎 add egg, sugar & spices and mix gently

🍎 gently stir in mixed dried fruit and apples

🍎 bake for 40-45 min at 180 degrees C (160 degrees C fan) until firm to the touch

🍎 Cool in the tin

🍎 Can be served as a cake or dessert with cream - Enjoy!

Volunteering with us

Don't forget, we're on the lookout for volunteers who would like to take on leadership roles at the Orchard to ensure its continued success for all in the community. You don't need to be an expert in fruit trees, just a healthy dose of enthusiasm and organisational skills! Perhaps you've enjoyed reading our September round-up and it's inspired you to get involved, either way we would love to hear from you. Contact Helen Ellson (helenellson205@btinternet.com) or Lorna Ball (orclimp@gmail.com) for more details. 

Harvest and Tasting Days September 2022

   

LIMPSFIELD COMMUNITY ORCHARD

HARVEST TASTING DAY

SUNDAY 18th & 25th SEPTEMBER

2.30pm

An invitation for you to come and taste the crop and perhaps take some fruit home!

APPLE CAKE /APPLE JUICE 

will be served so bring your own mug!    

More information 01883 713160 or 716523

helenellson205@btinternet.com

YOUR LOCAL ORCHARD NEEDS YOU!

YOUR LOCAL ORCHARD NEEDS YOU!

Looking for a new challenge?

This well-established local orchard needs a new Chair and leadership team with fresh ideas.

Could this be you? Please say ‘yes’!

🍎 Help ensure the orchard’s continued success

🍎 Become a core member of our team

🍎 Enjoy the great outdoors

🍎 Celebrate the harvest & Wassail

🍎 No specialist knowledge required

🍎 Just good organisational skills, enthusiasm 

      & an interest in fruit trees!

For more information or to express your interest, please contact:         

        Helen Ellson helenellson205@btinternet.com

        Lorna Ball orclimp@gmail.com 

* Turns out we were a little vague in our original post so we've edited it to tell you what sort of roles we're looking to fill! 

And just like that

One moment the trees are bursting with blossom and the next they are gone only to be replaced by the emerging signs of fruit. The next part of the process is the June drop - a period of fruit shedding that occurs naturally. Once the fall of fruit is complete, the trees can be assessed to establish whether any pruning is required to help those remaining on the trees to develop into mature fruits. So don't be alarmed if you see small fruits on the orchard floor over the next few weeks. 

The work never stops and the Orchard team are always planning ahead. Recently, we successfully collected manure for application in March 2023 - 50 bags of the good stuff! It was hard work and so many thanks go to Peter, Philip and Nigel. 

Lastly, if you have been down to the Orchard this extra long bank holiday, you may have spotted our Deer'dre adorned herself with a red, white and blue accessory or two to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. She's even put some bunting up for the occasion! 

Hello, my name is...

🥁 🥁 🥁 Drumroll please  🥁 🥁 🥁

.... 'Deer'dre Appleton! Our scarecrow has been named and here she is pictured standing strong among the blossoming trees doing a marvellous job. Thanks to the local school children for all their suggestions! 

🍏🍎 Our scarecrow, Deedre Appleton 🍏🍎

Speaking of blossoms, here are a few photos of the Orchard that were taken at the beginning of May. Quite the transformation from the bare branches we saw in March when our (then) unnamed Deerdre was first employed! Have you been down to the Orchard lately to enjoy the seasonal changes? 

Ashmead's Kernal

 

🍎🍏 L-R: Volunteers Bob Paterson, Mike Farmer and Nigel Earnshaw 🍏🍎

Our wonderful volunteers (pictured above) were hard at work earlier this month at one of our working parties helping to reduce the height of the deer guard stakes and wire to allow the Ashmead's Kernel to spread without damage. 

Ashmead's Kernal is a very old cultivar, raised at Ashmead House by William Ashmead in the mid 1700's. 

This particular one was planted at the Orchard in 2017 and is a connoisseur's apple with a distinctive sweet / sharp flavour. It is in bloom from mid May, ready to pick around mid October and will store until December / February. 

We have had no fruit so far! Will 2022 be the year? 

NEWEST MEMBER OF THE TEAM

We'd like to introduce you all the newest (and best dressed) member of the Limpsfield Community Orchard Team, made by the talented Stephen Rapoport, James Reeves and their children! Thank you very much! 

Put to work before the scarecrow even has a name, we hope the deer will not be visiting while they are on duty. Luckily the local school children have been tasked with naming our newest team member and we are very much looking forward to hearing their imaginative suggestions! So far, ideas include Russell (scare) Crowe and Welly McBooterson. Be sure to check back on the blog where we will reveal the name of our upstanding volunteer in due course. 

🍎🍏 Our, as yet, unnamed scarecrow 🍏🍎

WORKING PARTY - 2ND MARCH 2022

We will be gathering in the Orchard at 0930 on Wednesday 2^nd March for our regular work party. 

If you would like to join us please contact Helen directly (helenellson205@btinternet.com). Knowing how many people are turning up in advance helps with planning and coordinating the morning (as well as ensuring there's enough coffee supplies!) 

Jobs to do

🍎 Weed round each tree site and apply Vitax Q4 

🍎 Spread wood chip on each apple and pear tree site (plus damsons). The wood chip is all ready in the Orchard in bags and we have 2 wheelbarrows

 

Specialist work

🍎 Start replacing tree guard support stakes

🍎 Check and redo wire support systems. In many cases the trees are not properly supported and we need to get this all done asap before the trees come properly into leaf.

 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Helen and the Orchard TEAM

FEBRUARY 2022 - NEW DEAD HEDGE

If you've visited the Orchard recently you may have spotted our newly constructed dead hedge, hidden behind the laurel. By making a permanent structure of woody material, pruning and hedge clippings, we encourage small mammals to hibernate and beneficial insects to lay eggs where they are warm and dry. Gradually it will rot down, allowing more material to be added year by year. 

Doesn't it look great? Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers for their excellent work! 

~ Laying the foundations for the dead hedge ~

~ Having fun at work ~ 

~ Newly constructed dead hedge ~

~ Newly constructed dead hedge ~ 

JANUARY 2022 WASSAIL

Thank you to all who attended our annual Wassail a fortnight ago. After an enforced hiatus last year it was great to be back and we are lucky to have a wonderful write up about the event by our very own Friend of the Orchard, Carolle Stent. 

January is not my favourite month; it is cold, wet and dark, and Christmas with all of its light and celebrations is over. In 2018 I went to my first Wassail and discovered that this is a celebration involving light, fire and ancient ritual in the midst of January gloom. 

The Wassail event started inside Limpsfield British Legion. When I arrived North Downs Drummers, dressed in stunning costumes, were seated and an ever-increasing crowd of all ages gathered in the bar area. A bucket collection went around, song sheets were handed out, flaming torches and glow-in the-dark pendants were available for donations and then Andrew Claringbull donned his hat to become our Wassail Master. This is a role that he has fulfilled and developed since he started in 2016.  He explained the ancient origins of what we were about to see and do. I learned that Wassail is timed to mark the beginning of pagan New Year; the time when winter darkness begins to lessen and daytime lengthens; the time when trees begin to awaken. Wassailing is a fertility ritual designed to ensure that the apple crop for the coming year will thrive.

Wassail Master - Andrew Claringbull

Excitement began to build in the assembled crowd, particularly in the young children who were full of anticipation for going out in the dark when they would normally be approaching bedtime. We sang a short song and then regrouped in the car park. Here our noise levels increased as the drum band with their colourfully illuminated drums and headgear swung into action. Imagine the scene, stillness and moonlight above with a riot of coloured lights, noise and action below. Flaming torches were lit. The Wassail Master and his two delightful young Wassail princesses along with the drum band led the procession along the road across the Common, up Grub Street and then through the wood. I tried to estimate the number of people taking part and guessed that there were at least 150 of us. A muddy path goes down steep steps and then snakes through woodland. As you leave the wood you go up a steep slope and at the top, through the trees, we were greeted by the sight of a huge bonfire and the full moon.

Procession from the British Legion down to the Orchard

Bonfire in full swing

Arriving in the Orchard you were drawn to the King Tree. This glorious apple tree was decked out in finery with bunting and fairy lights adorning its branches and a ring of tea lights around its roots. The Wassail Master and the two Wassail princesses stood beneath the tree and we wassailers gathered around them in a circle. The drum band and the wassailers ensured that the noise level did not abate. Once all were assembled, the ritual began. Andrew ably fulfilled his role in directing the libations to the King Tree. After he declaimed to the tree and blessed it to be fruitful a steaming bowl of cider was produced and a piece of toast dipped in cider was given to the tree as ‘food’. One of the tiny princesses could just reach a bough of the tree to balance it in place. Next, salt was sprinkled around the trunk and finally cider was poured on the roots. The ceremony around the tree concluded with song. Owing to covid the wassail cup could not be handed around but mulled cider and apple juice were available for all. By this time the warmth of the bonfire was more than welcome. 

Decorated King Tree

Wassail Master directing the libations at the decorated King Tree

Thanks are due to all who made this wonderful event possible. The obvious ones are those involved in the pageant – Andrew Claringball and the North Downs Drummers. Less obvious are all the volunteers who put the event together, built and tended the bonfire, adorned the king tree, illuminated the woodland, provided drinks, produced song sheets etc. This wonderful annual event could not happen without a team of volunteers. It is the main fund-raising event of the year for Limpsfield Community Orchard. The Orchard would not exist and it would certainly not continue to thrive without constant care and attention. If you feel that you can help in any way please contact Helen on 01883 723160 (orclimp@gmail.com).  I promise you that anything you give to this hidden gem in our community will be amply returned to you in enjoyment.