Orchards within the UK

Mankind has been developing methods of food cultivation for as long as we have existed. Archaeological evidence has shown that fruits including wild crab apples have been part of our diet since Neolithic times. Although it is difficult to know exactly, it is supposed that the cultivated fruit we know today was developed from varieties found in Asia and the Middle East. Many of these were introduced to Britain by the Romans and other invaders. During the eleventh century fruit production became increasingly important for local economies, most notably in Herefordshire, which became well established as a fruit producing region in the fourteenth century.

Within Wales & Gwent

By the sixteenth century cider making was well established in Monmouthshire although it is likely it was happening well before that. Poems and literature make note of orchards in Wales all through the centuries from this point, highlighting the importance of orchards to the region. The Marcher Apple Network have a very good article on early references to fruit trees in Welsh literature  www.marcherapple.net/awl.htm

Just less than 4000 acres of orchard existed in Monmouthshire in the late nineteenth century with cider and perry production being the most popular use of the fruit. As a result of this, many varieties of perry pear and cider apple have been developed within south east Wales and are unique to the area. Sometimes these varieties are even unique to the farm they are found at! This important cider and perry tradition is an extremely valuable part of Wales’ cultural heritage.

Apple blossom. ©  S.Jones

Orchard Traditions

Wassailing
Wassailing is an old custom, held traditionally on the Twelfth night, where landowners would go to ‘wake up’ their fruit trees ready for the next year’s harvest. The oldest tree in the orchard would be targeted first where special chants are uttered and the tree is splashed with cider or a special liquid called ‘lambs wool’. It is the first fertility festival held in the folk calendar and still occurs in many places to this day.  Read an interesting article about wassailing:  www.whitedragon.org.uk/articles/wassail.htm.

Apple days
A more recent tradition set up by Common Ground www.commonground.org.uk/ is the apple day. An apple day is an annual celebration of orchards and local distinctiveness and can often be used as a way to fund raise for community or school projects. Games, demonstrations, stalls, and displays can all make up part of an apple day. With no rules or regulations, they are opportunities where you can be creative with how you want to celebrate the humble apple!

Mistletoe
Mistletoe grows most favourably on apple trees, so not surprisingly it is a common feature of orchards in Gwent. In fact, Gwent is a nationally important region for mistletoe, so it is a plant we should be proud of.

There are many traditions associated with mistletoe. It was a sacred plant to the Druids, who at special times of the year would cut it from a tree with a golden sickle and hang it from their doors as protection against evil sprits. Mistletoe is also important in Norse mythology, where is it believed the white berries are the tears shed by the goddess of love and beauty when he son was killed by an arrow made from the plant. This made mistletoe a symbol of love and perhaps is one of the reasons why we now have the more modern tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. See www.gwentwildlife.org/mistletoe.htm

If you would like to be involved in this project, or would like to request further information, please contact Alice Rees, the Perllannau Gwent / Gwent Orchard Project officer on arees@gwentwildlife.org or 01600 740600.