2020 is the 75th anniversary year of the RHS Fruit Group and we had organised a series of meetings and visits to celebrate this milestone.
Unfortunately, events surrounding the coronavirus outbreak are out of our control, and have meant that decisions on our 2020 programme have had to be made in line with Government guidelines and RHS direction and reaction to the situation.
On 3rd June, under the Chairmanship of Gerry Edwards, a decision was made to cancel all of our planned face-to-face meetings and events for the rest of 2020. This is based on the safety and welfare of our members.
We hope to carry over our 2020 plans to similar dates in 2021, when we should be clearer about how to meet and take part in visits in a way that offers maximum protection.
Dates for RHS Fruit Group meetings at RHS Garden, Wisley in 2021 are: 20th January, 30th March, 15th June, and 10th November. Speakers and topics to be confirmed.
However, this does not mean that we have nothing organised for the remainder of this year.
Two Zoom webinars have currently been arranged to match the 2020 Fruit Group meetings at Wisley. More might be arranged if the first one is a success.
On 7th July at 2pm, Jim Arbury will be giving his talk on ‘Unusual Fruits’.
On 3rd November at 2pm, Alessandra Valsecchi, will give her talk ‘Grape growing and viticulture’.
You will need to pre-register, and then a link to the meeting will be sent to you.
Full details for registration can be found in our membership Newsletter #67, June 2020.
Update 24/06/2020
The RHS Fruit Group
In 2020, our 75th Anniversary Year, we have other meetings planned at our home base, the fabulous RHS Garden, Wisley
Members old and new, all welcome.
Our AGM and meeting planned for 2nd April has been cancelled in response to advice on the management of the coronavirus/Covid-19.
Please check our website, Twitter @TheFruitGroup and emails to members for updates on our other meetings and events planned for this year.
Thursday 2nd
April
RHS Garden,
Wisley
Meet in the new Welcome
Building for a 12.00 noon start.
AGM, and launch of our 75th Anniversary activities and events, starting with an illustrated talk from our keynote speaker:
Sir John Starkey
a leading figure in the British fruit growing industry.
In
addition to growing fruit and producing fruit
juice,
Sir John Starkey is a historian of Bramley apples, which he grows on their own roots.
He has been instrumental in the protection of the 'original' Bramley apple tree which has grown in Southwell for the past 200 years, working with the University of Nottingham to preserve and protect the genetic material of 'Britain's favourite apple'.
Sir John Starkey says:
“Our Bramleys replicate exactly the properties which make the
200 year old seedling world famous. It is extraordinary that this
affects the taste of the fruit but comparative tastings have proved
that it does.”
Tuesday 7th July
Zoom webinar, please see RHS Fruit Group Newsletter #67, June 2020, for joining details.
The
topic of this webinar is
‘Unusual Fruit’ and RHS Fruit
Specialist, Jim Arbury, will be giving a talk on
medlars, mulberrys and quinces collection at
Wisley.
Thursday 18th
June
RHS Garden,
Wisley.
This face-to-face meeting has been cancelled in response to advice on the management of the coronavirus/Covid-19, and replaced by a Zoom webinar.
Tuesday 3rd November
Zoom webinar, please see RHS Fruit Group Newsletter #67, June 2020, for joining details.
This webinar is focussed on grape growing and vitculture, headlined by a talk 'A Year in the Vineyard' with vitculturalist and fruit grower Alessandra Valsecchi, who established the vineyard at Wisley and works for a major wine producer.
RHS
Garden, Wisley.
This face-to-face meeting has been cancelled in response to advice on the management of the coronavirus/Covid-19, and replaced by a Zoom webinar.
All visits cancelled
If you are you an RHS member you can join The RHS Fruit Group and take part in all of our activities, for an additional £7 each year.
In addition to the four Fruit Group meetings at the RHS Garden, Wisley, there are three major external visits for members during 2020. Costs vary for each visit, please contact: events@thefruitgroup.org.uk
for details.
Details of visits correct as of 24/06/2020, but may be subject to change.
Tuesday, 2nd June
75th Anniversary Lunch and Visit
to Hatfield House
This visit has been cancelled until further notice in response to advice on the management of the coronavirus/Covid-19.
We will try
and rearrange this prestigious visit for
2021.
We celebrate our 75th Anniversary in style at Hatfield House, Hatfield, in Hertfordshire, on the 2nd June, when Lady Salisbury has invited us to a private visit, on a day when the property is closed to the public.
Wednesday 5th
August
Tuesley
Farm,Godalming, Surrey,
GU7
1UG
This visit has beencancelled until further notice in response to advice on the management of the coronavirus/Covid-19.
We will try and
rearrange this visit for 2021.
Our second external visit of the year is on the 5th August we visit Hall Hunter’s Tuesley Farm which is near Godalming in Surrey where blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are grown, mainly under cover.
Tuesley Farm is highly productive and grows quality fruit for many of our supermarkets.
It is set in the beautiful, wooded county of Surrey and has stunning country views. As well as growing great fruit, there’s also a packhouse where the fruit is carefully packed for its customers.
Thursday, 10th Sept.
Audley End House and Gardens,
Nr. Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF
This
visit has beencancelled until further notice in response to
advice on the management of the
coronavirus/Covid-19.
We will try and
rearrange this visit for 2021.
The third visit of the year is on the is to the magnificent Audley End, near Saffron Walden in Essex.
The house is surrounded by extensive ‘pleasure gardens’ and there is a very large walled kitchen garden growing fruit, flowers and vegetables, using organic principles.
The walled garden also features vast glasshouses with grapes and peaches, a restored ‘Orchard House’ designed by Thomas Rivers, an extensive display of trained fruit, and orchards with historic and local varieties.
The Fruit Group hasn’t visited Audley End for some years now and it seems perfect to visit another great house in our 75th Anniversary year.
For all who love fruit
growing.
Membership of The RHS Fruit Group is open to all
members of the RHS.
Join us for talks and specialist fruit oriented tours at RHS Garden, Wisley and elsewhere.
If you are you a member of the RHS you can join The RHS Fruit Group and take part in all of our activities, for an additional £7.
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