Steve the Apple Man

No, not a reincarnation of Mr Jobs but friend of mine at the Cuerden valley Park Apple Day. Steve is an apple tree nut and scours the Lancashire countryside for old apple varieties from lost orchards, roadside verges and pub carparks. He has been grafting them to maintain the stock and through his job has been planting community orchards to keep them going. Trouble with the old varieties is that the do not store well and have to be eaten within a reasonable timescale. He brought along a selection of his 'sapped' apples to try and gave tips on best varieties to plant. I'll be planting one of his recommended favourities ' Red Flastaff' in my fruity corner in the garden.