The Rescued Orchard and the Rivers Heritage
A paper by Paul Read
First published as article in.
Rivers Nursery of Sawbridgeworth:
The Art of Practical Pomology
by Elizabeth Waugh
Published by the Rivers Nursery Site & Orchard Group in association with Rockingham Press, 0ct 2009
204 pages, 59 illustrations. ISBN 987-1-904851-32-5 Price £10
This paper is a comprehensive but incomplete guide (author states) to the fruit cultivars first introduced, developed, marketed and claimed by Thomas Rivers.
It sets the scene for how many of these varieties came into being and how they are still with us today. It examines the apples, plums, gages, pears and cherries where work is still required to identify some of the varieties that have been rescued from years of dereliction coupled with briar and bracken encroachment.
This paper is a major piece of evidence as to why the future of this site and the remnants of our national fruit heritage need to be protected.
The paper is published here in its entirety with all 3 previously unpublished tables
APPENDIX 1 A short list of fruit varieties of known Rivers origination (see Appendix pages 1-4)
APPENDIX 2 A list of the fruit varieties in the restored Rivers Nursery Orchard planted by Rivers Nursery (see Appendix pages 5-13)
APPENDIX 3 List of young trees planted since 1990. (see Appendix page 14-17)
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Biography:
Paul Read obtained his initial degree in biology, specialising in botany, and has spent nearly 50 years in research, teaching and consultancy. In addition to chemical engineering and archiving for cinema, national archives and universities, his conservation clients include conservation bodies, councils, and farms. He manages the Suffolk Orchard Survey for the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership, and with his wife runs a farm in Higher Level Stewardship
Acknowledgement:
The Rivers Nursery Site & Orchard Group are very grateful to Paul Read, EEAOP and members of the RHS Fruit Group who started the fruit identification project ball rolling in 2005 and have revisited many times to qualify and cross check what has been found, resulting in this first detailed and time critical report as the orchard faces an uncertain future.
The Bee Orchid
The last week of June 2009 saw the very welcome appearance at Rivers Nursery Site of the very beautiful Bee Orchid ( Ophrys apifera).
It used to be called the Humble Bee Orchid. It looks and smells like a female bee. Its appearance tricks the male bee into attempting to mate with it, which, of course, ensures that the male then transmits the pollen it has picked up from the clever female in its little adventure onto the next plant! However, it must also be stated that Bee Orchids are capable of self-pollination.
Bee Orchids are relatively common in this country but their survival depends on undisturbed habitats. The destruction of grasslands through change of land use can greatly restrict and isolate this very attractive wild flower. It is particularly slow-growing and can take up to six years before it comes into flower. Also it may flower only once in its lifetime. Bee Orchids are legally protected under Section 13 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act ( 1981 ). They must never be picked or uprooted.
Eugene Keddy
A Year in Rivers Nursery Orchard
The year 2005 marked the 280th anniversary of the arrival in Sawbridgeworth of John Rivers and the start of a nursery whose influence would stretch to many corners of the modern world. This “holy grail of English fruit production” (quote from RHS Wisley) faces major challenges now, just as it did through three centuries and volunteers work today to a management plan to conserve what remains of this historic site for the benefit of all. The sector under active conservation is but a fragment of the vast areas of our town once designated as nursery land (circa. 1884), which you can now see by visiting www.old-maps.co.uk
Year 2005 kicked off with a well-attended Wassail in January when trees were 'thanked' for their fruit crop and wished a very productive new year. This is a custom borrowed from the West Country and what it has lost in translation over time and distance it has made up for in myth and merriment.
February followed with tree planting of celebration seedlings to replace dying trees, which was a family event. The ever regular pruning, ditching and orchard management tasks come around with increasing frequency and for people in our community wondering how to stay fit, this green gym is the perfect low cost 'work out' in a wonderful environment, so come along and kick off those kilos.
A part biodiversity survey has been carried out and we are grateful for the first butterfly survey, which is underway. The plum crop this year was abundant allowing identification of many of the old Rivers varieties.
In September a group of fruit experts visited the orchard and commenced the work of examining the long list of unidentified apple species growing there. This task was possible due to the comprehensive numbering and labelling system, which was also undertaken this year. Each tree was deliberated on until a consensus was reached.
Outside of the orchard the Archives were on display at the May Festival and Apple Day. They not only detail the history of the orchard but also provide a rare insight to local life. Talks and guided tours to many groups were also very well received.
Apple picking day was a huge success with great support from the local community young and old and the scene in the orchard in the most beautiful autumn sunshine was straight from the textbook, and a bumper crop meant that the January 'Wassail Magic' worked.
As we round off the year Apple Day in Church House was another special day. Organic apples were available to eat, to juice, to drink, to buy and to bake. The event focussed on drawing more people into the town for the day and the active participation of local retailers with the first ever Sawbridgeworth Orchard Sausage and the Sawbridgeworth Orchard Apple Pie engaged people right across the community. We are very grateful for the people who come from far and wide to support us, the regular loyal band of volunteers, East Herts District Council, Rural Enterprise Project, local press and the local community, without which we would not function effectively. We have a duty to ensure that this nursery orchard, an environmental treasure on our doorstep, evolves yet endures for another three centuries.
Joseph Fitzgerald
Protecting Old Orchards
Article in Horticulture Week in 2007 by Gavin McEwan
"New Hope For Orchards"
Article in full
APPLE OF THE MONTH
MARCH 2010
STURMER PIPPIN
Sturmer Pippin was raised by a nurseryman named Dillistone at Sturmer, a village near Haverhill in Suffolk. It was presented to the Horticultural Society in 1827 who judged it to be a first-class late dessert apple. It is reported that the Sturmer Pippin was produced by impregnating Ribston Pippin with the pollen of Nonpareil.
It has a very attractive appearance. A medium-sized apple, round/conical in shape; it has a bright shiny green skin which turns to yellowy green as it matures. It is covered with brown russet and will present with a small dull red patch on the side next to the sun. Its flesh is firm, juicy and finely textured. Its taste is crisp, aromatic and slightly acidic.
Sturmer Pippin is a very late apple which is picked in November and will last round to April. The hotter the summer, the tastier this apple will be!
FEBRUARY 2010
Lady Sudeley
Lady Sudeley is an early dessert apple. It is said to have been raised in 1849 by a cottager named Jacob from Petworth, Sussex and was initially known as Jacob’s Strawberry. George Bunyard, Nurseryman, took particular notice of this handsome apple at a London show in 1884. He obtained grafts and re-named the apple as Lady Sudeley in recognition of his best customer at that time – Sudeley Estate in Gloucestershire. It was granted an Award of Merit from the RHS in 1884.
It is a medium-sized apple with a light- green, yellowy skin. It is always more than half-covered by bold, bright scarlet stripes. Its flesh is soft to the bite and quite sweet.
Lady Sudeley is picked in late August/early September. It can be eaten straight from the tree. It will not store well as it becomes waxy, woolly and loses its flavour after quite a short time. It is one of the best croppers in Rivers Orchard.
JANUARY 2010
Adam's Pearmain:
Adam’s Pearmain is of unknown parentage. It is believed to have been introduced by Robert Adam in 1826. He found this variety in Norfolk and called it Norfolk Pippin. It is also reported that its first appearance was in Herefordshire where it was given the name Hanging Pearmain. What is certain is that the Victorians held this handsome apple in high regard.
It is a medium-sized fruit of conical shape. It has a lopsided, pear-shaped appearance. The skin is dry, slightly rough, greenish yellow and covered with an orange red stripy flush. There are many patches of light brown russet and the speckled lenticels stand out. Adam’s Pearmain has a distinctive, nutty, richly aromatic taste. Its flesh is dry, crisp and creamy.
It is picked in mid-October and will store until March. It can tend to become biennial. Sadly, in Rivers Orchard this year that was the case.
DECEMBER 2009
Devonshire Quarrenden:
There is a curious little history to this very attractive small apple. It is said to have originated in Carentan, Normandy circa 1660. Say ‘Carentan’ quickly several times with a decent French accent and quickly change to a Devonshire accent and voila – you have a Devonshire Quarrenden!
It was first recorded in Devon by John Worlidge in 1676. It was particularly popular in Victorian times as an early dessert apple. It is quite a thought that when eating a Devonshire Quarrenden one is enjoying the same fruit as someone from King Charles II’s time!
It is a smaller than medium fruit. Its skin is smooth, shiny, a lovely deep purplish colour with patches of delicate, pale green where the fruit has been in shade. It has an aromatic, strawberry flavour. The flesh is white, juicy and stained red. It has a most refreshing taste.
It is picked in mid –August and can be eaten from the tree. Its season of use is limited to one month. There is only one Devonshire Quarrenden tree in Rivers Orchard.
NOVEMBER
Cox's Orange Pippin
Raised by a retired brewer named Richard Cox at Colnbrook Lawn, Slough in 1825. It is believed to have been a seedling from a Ribston Pippin pip. We are very proud to report that it was first grown commercially by our very own Thomas Rivers in 1862! It received its 1st Class Certificate and an Award of Merit from the RHS in 1962. It is extensively used by horticulturalists to raise new cultivars. It is probably Britain’s favourite dessert apple. One of the all-time greats.
It has a very attractive orange-red appearance. Its flesh is very juicy and intensely aromatic. It possesses a delightful, crisp taste - sweet but mildly acidic. It really is full of flavour.
Picked in October and can be eaten straight from the tree. It is best eaten before Christmas as it will not store for very long. Is a difficult tree to grow due to its being susceptible to diseases such as mildew and canker. Thus it is not suited to organic growing. 
OCTOBER 2009
Newton Wonder
Newton Wonder was found as a seedling in 1870 by Mr. Taylor, the innkeeper of the Hardinge Arms, King’s Newton, Melbourne, Derbyshire. It was growing in the thatched roof! He transplanted it into his garden where it survived until the 1940’s. Newton Wonder was introduced to market in 1887 by J.R. Pearson’s Nursery, Nottingham. It was awarded a first-class certificate by the RHS in the same year. It is thought to be a cross between Dumelow’s Seedling and Blenheim Orange.
It is a very large, flat round culinary apple. Tends to fruit bi-annually in our orchard. Its skin is greenish yellow, covered with orange-red stripes and dots of russet. Cooks to a fluffy, juicy, creamy puree and makes a very flavoursome jelly.
It is picked in mid –October. It will store for a few months. Can be eaten as a dessert apple later in the season; sharp, acidic, pleasant taste. 
SEPTEMBER
Saint Edmund’s Pippin:
Saint Edmund’s Pippin was discovered as a chance seedling by a Mr. R. Harvey at Bury St. Edmund’s about 1870. It was given a First Class Certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1875. It is sometimes called Early Golden Russet.
It has a beautiful appearance. The skin is yellowy- green with large patches of light-brown/gold russet. Small to medium in size; its creamy flesh is finely textured and deliciously fresh, tangy and full of the ‘nutty’ flavour associated with russets. It is at its best when fully ripe.
It is picked in mid –September. It does not store well and bruises easily. Thinning-out will sometimes be necessary as it is prone to over-bearing. It is also used to make very fine cider. 
August 2009
Edward VII
Edward VII was first recorded in 1902. It received the RHS Award of Merit in 1903. It was introduced by Rowe of Worcester in 1908. Edward VII is a cross between Blenheim Orange and Golden Noble. It is an excellent culinary variety.
Edward VII has a very attractive appearance. It is a medium to large fruit with dry, smooth, bright green skin which will pale to yellow as it matures. Its flesh is creamy, firm and moderately juicy. It has a sharp, acidic taste and cooks to a pink-tinged translucent puree.
It is picked in October. Edward VII stores remarkably well; it will last round to April. The tree has a very upright growing habit. It crops well and has a high resistance to scab. It has a beautiful blossom. Edward VII is one of the last to flower in Rivers Orchard.
JULY 2009
Laxton’s Fortune
Laxton’s Fortune was raised in 1904 by Laxton Brothers at Bedford. It received a first class certificate from the RHS in 1948. There are currently 65 different varieties of apples at Rivers Orchard. This is my favourite.
It is flushed red over a greenish-yellow skin with red stripes and a small degree of russeting. Fortune is a medium-sized apple with a firm, creamy flesh which is sweet, juicy, aromatic and mildly acidic.
It is picked in late August to mid-September. It has a short storage time. After a month it will start to soften.
June '09
June 2009
Thomas Rivers
Raised at Rivers Nursery, Sawbridgeworth. Recorded in 1892 when it was awarded a First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. It was introduced to markets in 1894 as Rivers Codlin. Its change of name to Thomas Rivers was effected in 1897.
It has a flushed red and yellow skin with creamy yellow flesh. A culinary apple; it tastes slightly of pears, has a sharp acidic quality and is of generally irregular shape. It is a firm apple which cooks to a juicy, aromatic puree. It makes a good sauce and can be used in pies.
Picked in early September; it will store for two months.
Eugene Keddy