Let’s write to the Minister for Horticulture about the Collections

The National Fruit Collections are the world’s largest collection of temperate fruits growing on one site. Established at Brogdale, near Faversham in Kent, in the early 1950s they have been growing there ever since. Now there is a threat that they be moved elsewhere, but there is no good reason to do this. Arguments for keeping them at Brogdale have been aired here, in the local and national press, and the Collections are the subject of the BBC Radio 4 ‘Food Programme’ next week. But the Minister Responsible for Horticulture needs to be aware of this wide concern for their future - we need to write to Lord Rooker at House of Lords, London SW1A 0AA asking him to keep the Collections at Brogdale. We give you ten good reasons why below.

The National Fruit Collections are the UK’s national collection; they are our fruit heritage, part of our social culture and countryside, contributing local distinctiveness to villages and landscapes. They also represent the UK’s international commitment to conserving the genetic diversity of food crops. Over 4,000 fruit varieties are growing at Brogdale: 2,090 apples, 522 pears, 283 cherries, 326 plums, 48 hazelnuts, 152 gooseberries, 209 currants (black, red, white and pink), as well as small collections of vines, quinces, medlars and apricots.

A unique collection not only on account of its size but also because it has so many different kinds of fruits growing together on one site and furthermore for over 50 years giving 50 years of continuous records under the same conditions. A fruit lover’s paradise as well as unrivalled data for the student of genetic diversity and climate change.

Moving the Collections will break this continuity and it may put the integrity of the Collections at risk - there is always the possibility that a variety may be lost in the move. Decisions may be taken to rationalise the Collections, or they may be slit up and go to different sites.

The Collections are owned by Defra, who fund their maintenance. The new maintenance contract, from April 2008, has opened up the possibility that they could be moved. Bids for the contract have to be in by today, 14 May, and the result is expected this summer, so now is the time to act. The decision as to their future lies with Defra, but we may be able influence the outcome by writing to the Minister Responsible for Horticulture and putting the case for the Collections remaining at Brogdale.

Please write to Lord Rooker and to your own MP. Personal letters count with politicians and government departments. Individual letters stating the case are one of the most powerful ways of getting the point across and informing decisions.

Write to: Lord Rooker, House of Lords, London SW1A 0AA

Ten good reasons for keeping the National Fruit Collections at Brogdale

1. The Brogdale site is ideal for a fruit collection from both the point of view of horticulture and history; a situation not necessarily found elsewhere. Brogdale has the deep fertile soils needed for fruit growing. The site is near the sea giving some protection from spring frosts. East Kent receives maximum sunshine for the UK. East Kent also has centuries of history in fruit and our oldest fruit growing area.

2. To move the Collections would put them at risk. Varieties may be lost. The Collections may be dispersed destroying their unique feature - a wide range of fruits all growing on one site.

3. At a new location they may not be open to the public.

4. To move them would involve huge expense and time - a minimum of five years and probably ten years to re-propagate, plant and verify the new collections.

5. The Collections have long term security at Brogdale. The owner of Brogdale , Tony Hillier of Hillreed, has told Defra that he will extend the lease on the land on which the Collections grow to 2050.

6. The Collections are not in need of re-propagation. The Cherry, Plum, Bush Fruit and Nut Collections have all recently been re-propagated and verified (with the exception of the nuts) as part of the routine schedule of husbandry. They are all cropping well and in their prime for at least another 20-30 years, similarly the Vine Collection. The Pear Collection has been re-propagated and ready to be planted. The Apple Collection is coming up for renewal but could wait for another five years.

7. The National Fruit Collections have been growing at Brogdale for 50 years and have 50 years of continuous records. This is an unique record for any fruit collection anywhere in the world and provides invaluable information for research studies on fruit growing in relation to climate change.

8. The Collections have 50 years of international reputation and good will at Brogdale. No other country has a central national collection of fruit; it is the envy of the world. European collections are considerably smaller and dispersed. The US has large collections but these are located in different places - the apples in New York, the pears in Oregon, for example.

9. Brogdale and the Collections are associated both nationally and internationally. To move them would destroy the link for the general public and the fruit specialist. It would take years to regain this precious asset.

10. The Collections are fine where they are - flourishing and secure. Moving the Collections is unjustified, unnecessary and a great waste of public money.

Joan Morgan