Discovering lost orchards and fruit varieties
Supporting members by sharing knowledge and experience
Where it all began
The Marcher Apple Network (MAN) started in December 1993 from an initiative by the Countryside Council for Wales to track down traditional orchards in Wales and their conservation value. A group of enthusiasts keen to revive old varieties of apples and pears got together.
Nowadays MAN is a charity which continues to discover and revive old varieties, sometimes thought lost, and to protect traditional orchards.
We have our own heritage orchard with rare and varieties from the Marcher counties of England and all of Wales. We ensure that we have several copies of each variety so that the unique characteristics of identified varieties are safeguarded for the future.
What we’ve achieved so far
Over 50
Varieties of apple thought extinct rediscovered
Over 330
Apple varieties identified
Over 250
Heritage apple varieties at our Paramor Orchard
Over 30 years
Since the Marcher Apple Network started
01
Sharing knowledge
We share our experts’ and members’ knowledge
02
Sharing experience
Orchard visits are a great way of sharing your experiences with other members
03
Identifying lost varieties
We are always on the look out for lost varieties and old orchards
Some of the things we do
And where you can meet like-minded enthusiasts
Organising orchard visits and providing advice
Running courses for members
Promoting heritage apples
Who runs the Marcher Apple Network? Meet the Trustees and Officers
The Marcher Apple Network allows for 11 Trustees. We are on the look out for more so please contact Gareth at secretary@marcherapple.net for more information.
01
Sir Andrew Large
President
After an illustrious career, including having been the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Andrew continues to have an extensive collection of ancient varieties of apple trees which he grows at his home in Wales and we are are honoured to have him as the president of the Marcher Apple Network.
02
Stephen Ainsleigh Rice
Chair/Trustee
My great uncle established a nursery in Billericay in the late nineteenth century. When he visited my parents in the late 1950s I marvelled at names like Sturmer Pippin, George Cave, Cox’s Orange Pippin. He told me a little about pruning, orchard hygiene and fruiting. Then a professional career took me to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Sad to admit, I forgot most. Nearly 50 years later, after having moved to near Hay-on-Wye, I met Sheila Leitch, Mike and Chris Porter, Peter Austerfield and other the founders of the Marcher Apple Network. I was stunned by their knowledge and enthusiasm. Since then it’s been a delight to meet many more enthusiasts and nursery(wo)men, learn and practice orchard management skills, attempt identifications, do a little DNA fingerprinting stuff, have opportunities to be at shows, pass on my learnings and generally try to help folk with their questions.
03
Philip Bustin
Treasurer/Trustee
A few years ago I acquired an ancient orchard located in South Shropshire, which has been in existence from before 1817 and consists mainly of apples with some pears, cherries, plums and damsons.
As a DEFRA Higher Environmental Steward I was keen to ensure the orchard received the correct attention to preserve its life. By joining MAN I have gained access to a wealth of expertise and knowledge which has proved valuable to my preservation work as well as making friends who have similar interests in orchards, apples and pears.
As Treasurer my role is to ensure that MAN runs on a sound financial basis, complies with UK financial regulations and, like my orchard, is sustainable for many years to come.
04
Steven Richards-Price
Communications/Trustee
I set up the first Apple Day at Oakwell Hall Country Park, West Yorkshire in the late 1990s and worked with the gardener there (I was Head Ranger) to create espaliered heritage apple trees in the walled garden and replant the orchard. I was a member of the Northern Fruit Group but joined MAN in 2000 on moving to our smallholding near Tregaron. We entered the smallholding into Tir Gofal (like Countryside Stewardship) and have made countless environmental improvements over the years. This included planting a new orchard with many Welsh heritage varieties. I have since been making juice and perfecting cider for many years. Being quite a distance from the Marcher heartlands, I recently decided to change from being a passive member to a Trustee as I want to see and shape MAN’s crucial work into the future – including preserving and promoting the remaining traditional orchards in the Marches. My professional area is heritage interpretation and I am responsible for the MAN website and communications.
05
James Nason
Trustee
I have been a life member of MAN for the last twenty years and was delighted to become a Trustee in 2024. My concern about the loss of traditional orchards across the Marches region was a spur to join MAN combined with an interest in nature and conservation. Me and my wife Rowena own the Pitchford Estate just south of Shropshire and have planted five orchards since 2005 across the Estate to preserve Marches apple and pear varieties in close collaboration with Tom the Appleman (Tom Adams). Beyond Shropshire, I work as a political consultant for a range of companies and organisations in the energy, environment and tourism sectors. Outside work, I am restoring the Grade 1 listed historic house – Pitchford Hall. In the Hall’s grounds is Britain’s largest broad leaved lime tree – The Pitchford Lime – as well as ancient oak and yew trees.
06
Andy Pillow
Trustee
07
Gareth Kennard-Holden
Secretary
My wife and I bought a house in south Wales 7 years ago having lived in Wales for a decade before that, I wanted to plant some apple trees and being environmentally conscientious I knew I wanted Welsh and preferably local varieties. Searching for Welsh varieties led me to MAN and the more I learnt the more I was interested to learn, and I took on the role of secretary at the AGM in Nov 2024 having been a member since Jan 2024. I try and eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away, knowing that it is not just an old saying but now proven by science that apples are excellent for you and the more you eat the better.
Privacy Policy Summary
The Marcher Apple Network is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We collect and process your information solely to support our charitable activities and improve our services. Your data will never be sold or shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law. We retain your information only as long as necessary and ensure it is stored securely. You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at secretary@marcherapple.net