An apple detective has rescued four rare and 'lost' apple varieties from oblivion in the orchards of Shropshire, as a growing movement seeks to revive Britain's heritage apple tradition. Tom Adams, who specialises in tracking down forgotten apple varieties, identified a tree in a neglected orchard as a Bringewood Pippin, a late dessert and cider apple first raised around 1800. Further exploration of the same orchard revealed what may have been the last trees of Gypsy King, Rhymer and Round Winter Nonesuch. Cuttings have been taken, and these varieties are now being propagated across the country.
Another apple saved from extinction is the Bardsey Island apple, discovered on the Welsh island of Bardsey. A solitary tree growing by the ruins of a 13th-century abbey was found to be a previously unknown variety, with sweet pink fruit and a lemon aroma. Thanks to grafting, the apple is now grown around the UK. The finds highlight the rich diversity of Britain's apple heritage, with around 2,200 varieties recorded in the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm in Kent.
Despite this abundance, 81% of traditional orchards have vanished from England and Wales since the early 1900s, according to a 2022 National Trust study. Activists are fighting back by planting community orchards with heritage varieties. Common Ground, an environmental group, started the campaign over 30 years ago and founded Apple Day on 21 October. Co-founder Sue Clifford noted in 2017 that interest in planting orchards and ciders has surged, with communities taking pride in their local fruit.
