MARCHER APPLE NETWORK
RHWYDWAITH AFALAU'R GORORAU

Newsletter 2004

Each year, in August, MAN produces a newsletter for its members which contains details of activities and knowledgeable articles on many aspects related to apples, pears and orchards. The following is a digest of the 2004 newsletter.

• Chairman's review of the first 10 years of MAN.
• A report of the AGM held at the Shirehall, Hereford, including an exhibition of 250 varieties of dessert, culinary and cider apples.
• The year's events on the Welsh side of the border, including the Glasu organised “Blossom Day” at Fforddfawr Farm.
• Other major events included the Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival and the annual “Entertainment under the Apples” at Penlanole
• Sir Andrew Large, MAN President, gives details of his apple collection from 20 countries but with an emphasis on Welsh and Marches varieties. The many facets of orchard management are also discussed.
• Orchard Gleanings. Once more Mike Porter, MAN Committee Member, provides his detailed review of the apples that have been rediscovered over the year or have been subject to investigation. This is the article describing much of MAN's work in rescuing old varieties.
• Grant aid from the Countryside Council for Wales for the purchase of orchard maintenance equipment.
• News of MAN orchards at Tredomen Court, Croft Pendaren, Donnington, Fforddfawr and Westhope.
• News from other groups. MAN continues to exchange information with other groups including, the Irish Seed Savers Association, Northern Fruit Group and the National Orchard Forum. The NOF newsletter contains a very interesting article on the use of apple wood for making wind instruments as Sheila Leitch relates.
• Mind that Mistletoe. Committee member Diggory Kempton provides a detailed biological article on mistletoe and reflects on how many subjects from history, medicine, myth and literature touch on this unusual plant.
• Literary Corner. From “Forgotten English” to the probable birth date of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed.
• Orchards and Wildlife. Committee member Chris Porter writes a thoughtful article on traditional orchards as a valuable habitat for wildlife. There are problems but on balance there is more interest and joy in nature in the orchard in spite of some lost fruit and damaged trees, irritating as this may be.
• Nursery Notes. Member Paul Davis reports on grafting techniques including softwood grafting.
• Grazing in traditional orchards. Tom Froggatt, MAN Treasurer, argues against the recent Food Standards Agency announcement that traditional orchards should not be grazed.
• Ray Boddington (retiring MAN Chairman 2004) describes the substantial pear collection at Holme Lacy House and the collaboration with the RHS to identify some of the fruit.
• Cider Apple and Perry Pear Group. Richard Cheshire, Chair CAPPG, reports on the work of the group including the production of a register of known old varieties to aid identification of unknown trees.
• British Beekeepers National Spring Convention and Exhibition. Tom Froggatt, a regular MAN representative at this convention, reports on his busy day.
• Herefordshire Tree Kits. The Herefordshire Fruit Tree Initiative including trees available and how to obtain them. Tel 01568 797 305.
• Sale of graftwood and budwood.
• MAN Library additions.
• MAN Website. Richard Wheeler, Webmaster, reports on our very successful website in his “Soundbites”.
• Forthcoming events.
• Subscriptions and Membership.

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