National Trust steps in to save Tidnor Wood Orchards

If you went into a greengrocer's and asked for Brown Snout, Porter's Perfection and Chiselled Jersey, what would you be asking for?  These are all traditional varieties of Cider apples and today it was announced that a collection of more than 300 traditional British cider apple trees has been saved for the nation after the owner had suggested that he may have to move his orchards to France. Henry May, who owns Tidnor Wood Orchards in Herefordshire, had considered moving his lovingly created collection to Normandy because he could not find anyone in the UK willing to take the project on.  But the National Trust, better known for its custodianship of stately homes and stretches of the countryside and coast, has stepped in to save the collection, with varieties including such names as Slack-ma-Girdle, the Netherton Late Blower and Billy Down Pippin. Trust experts have overseen the propagation of new specimens from the varieties of cider apple tree growing at Tidnor Wood and at least two trees of each variety not already growing at trust properties will be planted at the charity’s estates in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon, Dorset and Herefordshire.  It is a huge relief for conservationists, cider historians and Henry May, a former customs and excise officer, whose job was to collect tax on cider.  He decided to set up the orchards after making money in property development.  May spent more than a decade travelling the UK’s West Country cider heartland finding rare varieties and his orchards were recognised as the national collection of cider apples by Plant Heritage, the national council for the conservation of plants and gardens. May wanted someone to continue his work, as he is now 70 and no longer drinks cider, but could not find anyone willing to take it over and said he would move the collection to land he owns in France.  Happily, the National Trust stepped in. The orchards are to be sold later this year and the danger is the next owner will dig the trees up or, at least, not care for them. But the varieties will now live on through the trust’s propagation work and planting programme.  The trees will be planted at trust properties including Glastonbury in Somerset, which has orchards on the slopes of the Tor and at Golden Cap on the Dorset coast. Ninety-five varieties will be planted in the grounds of Montacute House in Somerset. This morning's BBC Radio 4's Today Programme covered the announcement which can be heard from 1:44:33 at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ycwqt If you are a member of National Trust of Guernsey, our reciprocal arrangements with the National Trust entitle you to free parking and entry at their properties and places.  Many of the places mentioned in this article are within easy reach for islanders and well worth a visit.  If you're not already a member, please consider joining us where Membership starts from £20 per year. National Trust Montacute House, Somerset Golden Cap, Dorset