Ribston Pippin

The twentieth century saw the loss of many traditional orchards, a decline that began in the first three decades and escalated during the three last. Some of the apple cultivars that were grown there disappeared with them; others were taken to the brink of extinction. In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the invaluable biodiversity those apples represent and much has been done to preserve them for future generations.

We increasingly recognise that old orchards too have immense worth, and not just for their productivity and potential for sustainable local production of good healthy food. Old orchards can also be objects of great beauty in the landscape, and are among the richest of habitats for both flora and fauna, often having been undisturbed for many decades. Indeed they are havens for wildlife in landscapes that are frequently barren of such diverse and complex niches.

The needs to conserve heritage apples and restore their orchards have been primary motivations in the creation of The Northern Pomona, Apples for Cool Climates. Other inspirations were legion, but among them was the collection of heritage apples held at Helmsley Walled Garden in North Yorkshire. Along with this was the quest to discover their individual characters, virtues and uses, how best to grow and store them, and most importantly, how best to use them.

Through the generosity of our patrons and subscribers we raised the necessary funds to print The Northern Pomona. All proceeds from sales will help sustain the collections at the Helmsley Walled Garden, and provide the framework for educational programmes on apple cultivation. Contributors include expert pomologists, horticulturists, cooks and chefs from across northern Britain who have given freely their knowledge, experience and passionate enthusiasm for the fruit of fruits, the apple.

What others have to say about us:

HRH The Prince of Wales said about our book: "Not only is it exquisitely illustrated, but it is full of exactly the sort of information on management, restoration of old orchards, storage and cooking which will help our native breeds to survive. It is this utterly invaluable wisdom which is so precious and to have captured it in this stunningly beautiful book is a work of the greatest possible importance."

Ursula Buchan, Garden Editor, wrote in the Daily Telegraph on 24 November 2007: "The apple is one of the most potent symbols of local distinctiveness, hence the importance of Britain's annual Apple Day in October, which promotes varieties that do well in particular localities. That is one reason why I welcome 'The Northern Pomona:Apples for Cool Climates', edited by Linden Hawthorne and illustrated by Bridget Gillespie with contributions from many North of England-based experts, including Peter Blackburne-Maze, Barry Potter, Richard Borrie and Dr Elke Laver.

This book provides detailed descriptions of some 100 apple cultivars which are suited to conditions in the North of England and Scotland. including their history, detailed botanical characteristics, pollination group and date, and picking and ripening dates. In other words, it has all the information you need to decide whether to grow them in a Northern garden,but which you would struggle to find elswhere.

It also provides more than 200 apple-oriented recipes, suggesting suitable varieties in many cases... And the illustrations - 51 watercolours of apple varieties by the RHS Gold Medal-winning artist Bridget Gillespie - are a delight...All in all, this is the book for all those pursue love (of apples) in a cold climate."

Joan Morgan, RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee, Author of the authoritative 'New Book of Apples' put it in the RHS Magazine 'The Garden' of April 2008 this way: "Guide to apple cultivars, plus 200 recipes. This is a celebration of the apples of northern Britain. Half of the book is devoted to pomological matters and half to apple recipes although it is far too beautiful to take near the kitchen...

Each directory entry is an engaging portrait that provides fresh insight into how well some of most popular apples fare in the cooler, shorter growing seasons of the North. For the specialist its greater value will lie in the information on the rarer local cultivars, many of which are grown at Helmsley Walled Garden, Yorkshire...

This book is a valuable addition to every fruit lover's library and a splendid tribute to the community effort that produced it."

Lon J Rombough noted in the NAFEX (North American Fruit Explorers) Magazine: "...The section on varieties is a beauty, with hand painted 'portraits' of northern English apples...Very complete descriptions include the character and quality of the apples when cooked, and their best uses. Finally, the section of recipes is amazing...the overall information would pique the interest of  of anyone interested in apples. Definitely, The Northern Pomona is one of the most readable books I've seen in some years."

Our Contributors page gives more details of the people who worked on The Northern Pomona, Apples for Cool Climates.