A GROUP of residents from the Llanblethian Community Group, plus some others from further afield, met on a warm cloudy afternoon on 10th August for a tour of Llanblethian Orchards, just off Piccadilly.
The guide was owner Alex Simmens, and we were taken around the fields next to the River Thaw, where Alex has planted many varieties of apple and pear trees. We were told about the different types of trees, many of which are traditional British ones.
Alex explained where the trees originated from, how they are propagated, their sometimes strange names, what the fruit was like (sharp or sweet), how well the trees cropped, and how they cope with the types of soil and climate. After an hour or so of exploring the orchard, our group headed up Church Road Hill to Alex’s Cider Barn, where he explained how the apples are processed and how the various blends of cider are produced.
By now, the sun had made an appearance and it was very pleasant standing in the Cider Barn garden sipping different flavours of cider and listening to Alex’s talk. We tried a sweet, medium and dry cider, plus a sparkling variety. Several of us took the opportunity to purchase some for later! Many thanks to Alex for an interesting day out.
John Temple
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