In 1984, antiquarian book valuer Derek Law from Addiingham in West Yorkshire came across Gilbert White’s book ‘Garden Kalender’ while working in the British Library. White (1720-1793) a rector/naturalist developed an orchard for his parish in Selborne to feed fruit to the poor all year round.
White documented the development of his orchard in the Garden Kalender in such detail it was possible for Derek to follow his methods and recreate a version of the orchard on parish land next to St Peter's Church, Addingham.
Now, thirty years on in the Church Orchard, Addingham, rows of heritage apples, pears, plums, quince, rhubarb and soft fruit are grown by Derek and his volunteers for the parish to enjoy.
While I was talking to Derek he made me appreciate just how special these old style orchards are. For example the type of apple grown until recently had to be soft because the dental health of the population was too poor to eat the hard, crisp apples so popular today. Also Derek told me "you would never see apples lying on the ground and going to waste like you do now. In years gone by people were just too poor and hungry to let good food rot or be eaten by the birds."
The recipe above for apple syrup makes good use of a glut of apples. The syrup can be used to flavour and sweeten, drinks, puddings and even making a sauce for a pork dish.
