Brogdale Collections

Beautiful Day at Brogdale - Early Blossom in the Ornamental...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:04:36 +0000

Beautiful Day at Brogdale - Early Blossom in the Ornamental Orchard

Lots of our lovely followers on twitter posted some great photos...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:30:44 +0100

Lots of our lovely followers on twitter posted some great photos of our Cider Festival last weekend! We gathered them up for everyone to enjoy so here you go… We hope that everyone had a great weekend and that we will see you next year!

A couple of photos of us up at Borough Market in London last...

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:15:14 +0100

A couple of photos of us up at Borough Market in London last week. We have a great day selling our produce on the turnips stall in the bustling market.

This year at the Cider Festival we will be joined by the Kent...

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:01:28 +0100

This year at the Cider Festival we will be joined by the Kent Kite Flyers who will be hosting a great day of Teddy Parachute Jumps. Children can simple bring their own teddies or buy one on the day and have great fun watching it parachute accross the fields as they run to try and catch it! Find Out More…

A Very Happy Family… Just a quick note to say a big...

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:35:15 +0100

A Very Happy Family…

Just a quick note to say a big “thank-you” for the hamper of fruit prize from the Cherry Festival. We drove down with the kids on Sunday to pick it up and they had another great day at Brogdale. Our son James loves cherries and he said that the Morello cherries that we included in the hamper were the “best ever” - there certainly weren’t many left by the time we got back home!

Once again, thanki-you for the hamper and we look forward to visting Brogdale again soon

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Founded in 2006, Brogdale Collections is a Kent charity working to secure the long term, sustainable future of the National Fruit Collection as a living collection at Brogdale. Brogdale offers annual fruit festivals and daily tours of the orchards. For more information visit www.brogdalecollections.co.uk

Cherry Goodness: So even though it was a later crop on the trees...

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:54:00 +0100

Cherry Goodness: So even though it was a later crop on the trees than usual and, lets face it, they haven’t had as much sun as they (and us) would have liked, last week there was still a few trees holding the last of this years cherries, so we headed out in to the orchards with our cameras to take a few photos, they were still very tasty too…

Brogdale Goes to Borough Market… Later this summer, London...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:49:49 +0100

Brogdale Goes to Borough Market…

Later this summer, London shoppers will be able to add apples and pears picked from the Brogdale Collections in Kent to their grocery baskets. The fruit will be on sale at Borough market in London and be sold by the fantastic fruit and veg retailer ‘Turnips at Borough Market’.

Brogdale’s fruit experts will also be making trips to London, they will be encouraging shoppers to try the fruit that is on sale (if they need any encouragement) and providing information about the specific fruit available on the day, it’s heritage and future here in Kent.

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To find out more about ‘Turnips’ and where to find them in London’s Borough Market visit… www.turnipsboroughmarket.com

Two Charities Working Together… In this tough economic...

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:26:00 +0100

Two Charities Working Together…

In this tough economic climate it can be difficult to find your way but Pilgrims Hospices and Brogdale Collections have decided that life can be a lot easier with a friend by your side.

Last week Regional Fundraising Manager, Deborah Kellond and Pilgrims Lottery Manager, Shiralee Riddell visited Brogdale Collections in Faversham in Lotty, their Lottery promotional Smartcar and put on their best smile for a few photographs to mark the new partnership they are making.

The two charities will be working together to support each other and help raise awareness of what each charity is doing in the local and wider communities.

Brogdale will also be raising money for Pilgrims at their three fruit festivals and there will even be a ‘no bake’ off run for finalists from the east Kent Brownies and Guides local bake-offs which are taking place throughout the region.

Bernie Cranfield commented on the partnership, ’Brogdale Collections are thrilled to be partnering Pilgrim’s Hospice Canterbury in this our Diamond Jubilee Year. Two local charities working together and sharing their expertise and knowledge is innovative and exciting. Our Cherry Festival on 7^th/8^th July at Brogdale, will be the first event on this joint venture and we are determined to make this a huge success’.

There will be expanding volunteer opportunities with the two charities who rely on volunteer support in many different aspects of the organisation.

Deborah Kellond said “We are delighted to be collaborating with Brogdale this year. We both have special anniversaries this year – our 30^th and Brogdale’s 60^th – and it seemed very fitting for us to support each other. Our Day Hospice patients have been involved already and have made some incredible vintage-style bunting for use at each of the festivals and a volunteer came to our summer fair to educate our supporters about Brogdale. It’s a great start!”

Our Cherry Festival went by sweetly, with just a little rain, we...

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:39:00 +0100

Our Cherry Festival went by sweetly, with just a little rain, we managed to keep the smiles on our faces as many of you came to visit, taste, listen and have fun. Here are just a few photographs from the weekend…

First Pick of the Season, Brian says they are a little watery...

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:59:33 +0100

First Pick of the Season, Brian says they are a little watery still but he doesn’t mind… (Taken with Instagram)

The Really Promising Company is a Community Opera Company which...

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:54:22 +0100

The Really Promising Company is a Community Opera Company which welcomes everyone in East Kent who would like to sing and perform.

Born out of “Promised Land”, which was performed in the Canterbury Festival in 2006, the Company of enthusiastic amateurs benefits from the input of professionals as well as developing the talents and experience of members.

The Company has performed in every Canterbury Festival and will be performing at our Cherry and Apple Festivals this year.

To find out what else will be at our Festivals visit www.brogdalecollections.co.uk

For information on the really promising comapny visit www.reallypromisingcompany.org.uk

Our lovely new cards… (Taken with instagram)

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:55:53 +0100

Our lovely new cards… (Taken with instagram)

Our Instagrid Page - Photos from Brogdale...

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:46:50 +0100

Our Instagrid Page - Photos from Brogdale...

Our Fruit Festivals are coming up fast and we are still loving...

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:12:33 +0100

Our Fruit Festivals are coming up fast and we are still loving the new posters we have had designed this year…

Today we received some fab books, kindly donated by Dorling...

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:50:13 +0100

Today we received some fab books, kindly donated by Dorling Kindersley as prizes for our festival baker of the year competition…

For full details and to register your place follow the link below…

http://brogdalefarm.tumblr.com/post/20170194437/latest-news-from-the-brogdale-fruit-festivals

Crafty Students win Brogdale Sales Spot

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:55:12 +0100

STUDENTS are reaping the fruits of their labour after pitching a new range of products to bosses at Brogdale Farm.

Nine year 10 pupils at The Abbey School have been commissioned to produce decorative kitchen signs, plaques and coasters to be sold at the gift shop after impressing marketing executive Kimberly Campion when she made a visit to the school.

BRANCHING OUT: Phoebe Scamp and Callum Suntah, both 15, pitched the new range

After identifying which products were needed at Brogdale, the young entrepreneurs prepared a list of prices for materials and explained how products would be manufactured on the school site.

Teacher Gary Parsons said: “The meeting was very successful. It was a first time that the students had experienced interviewing a client and they were naturally quite nervous. However, they soon settled and performed very well. I am very proud of them.”

The 14- and 15-year-olds will make the products in their technology lessons.

Callum Suntah, 15, said: “We asked Mrs Campion a series of questions because we wanted to make items she could sell them at Brogdale Farm.

“I was nervous at first but settled down quite quickly and I enjoyed it.”

Mrs Campion said: “We are very pleased to have students at The Abbey School producing products for Brogdale and have been really impressed with their enthusiasm and capabilities.”

The students’ creations will go on sale at Brogdale in the summer. Article from This Is Kent: http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Crafty-students-win-Brogdale-sales-spot/story-16001468-detail/story.html

Orchard Pass Perfect for a Year of Photography If you love...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:13:00 +0100

Orchard Pass Perfect for a Year of Photography

If you love photography and walking then our orchard pass will allow you to do both these things for free for a whole year at Brogdale. Pay just £10 for the pass and you can visit as many times as you like.

If you are a budding photographer then you can even set yourself a project to photograph the fruit at each stage of it’s life or capture beautiful landscapes of the orchards in every season.

You can even buy the fruit when the season is done so it’s the perfect end to your year here at Brogdale.

http://www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/orchard-tours.html

Gooseberries Some of the most versatile fruits for even a small...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:01:46 +0100

Gooseberries

Some of the most versatile fruits for even a small garden are Gooseberries and Currants. In the past most gardens, even in town centres, contained a gooseberry bush, possibly the reason for the old saying for something of uncertainty-“ Oh it’s under the Gooseberry bush”. Currently these tasty fruits seem to have gone out of fashion which is why we do not see enough of them in the shops. Thanks to more mildew resistant modern varieties and better treatments Gooseberries are seeing a revival.

Traditionally grown in East Kent for the early London market varieties like “Keepsake” were also sold locally. In recent years much of the crop has been sent for canning or for jam making. However there has been a resurgence of interest in Desert varieties whether “green and crisp”, “yellow and tasty” or” red and mouth watering”.

Why not grow your own?. The National Fruit Collections at Brogdale contains some 400 Gooseberry varieties including the main English varieties many from the 19^th century as well as 20^th century favourites such as Kents own “Invicta” and “Leveller and popular “Careless”

New varieties such as “Martlet” can also be inspected

Gooseberries are productive and easy to maintain provided you can deter Wood Pigeons when the fruit is developing!

The Gooseberry collection can sometimes be visited as part of the regular guided tours offered daily at Brogdale and they are always included on Sundays during the fruiting period from the end of May until July and there will also be experts on hand at the SOFT FRUIT DAY on 24^th June.

Taste, learn about and admire these attractive fruits and select varieties to suit your garden and importantly, your palate.

At the Brogdale Plant Centre “Grow” there is now a wide selection of Gooseberry varieties to order, from the free fruiting “Alma” to the large deep red sugary late variety “Victoria” unearthed in 1902 in Northumberland - a reminder that these wonderful fruits can be grown the length and breadth of England .

Come to Brogdale and learn more about the history, cultivation and use of these delicious fruits.

Creative Photography Courses 28th - 29th April 2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:50:25 +0100

Creative Photography Courses 28th - 29th April 2012:

karenwallcephotography:

These adult education courses running at Brogdale Farm are a great chance to learn how to use your camera to it’s full potential in a relaxed environment whilst taking some great photos in the beautiful orchards of Brogdale Farm in Faversham. The courses are perfect for those looking to improve their camera skills and to stop using the’ point, shoot and hope for the best’ method. Lunch and refreshments will be provided by Brogdale on both days and there will be time both in the classroom and out in the orchards. Perfect courses for anyone wanting to learn the valuable skills for taking stunning photographs.

Artisan Cider Making - 21st & 22nd April 2012

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:26:00 +0100

Day Course - £105 per day

This one-day beginners course located in the heart of the UK’s apple growing region will allow you to discover the ancient British art of making your own Cider (Cyder) and Perry.

Spend the day with Kent’s award-winning artisan cider producer Simon Reed from ‘Rough Old Wife Cider’ learning how to make real cider and perry.

This one-day course is suitable for beginners who are interested in the fascinating background, heritage and making of real cider and perry at home and for those wanting to develop the use of apples and pears on their farm or small holding.

The course will cover topics such as:

History, heritage and traditions of cider and perry making.
An overview of the various varieties of apples and pears used for making cider and perry – regional differences.
Choice, sourcing and use of equipment – domestic and larger scale.
Practical work milling and pressing of apples and pears.
Fermentation and maturation.
Bottling and storage options.
Problems
Optional tour of the National Fruit Collection orchards and cider apple collection.

All ingredients, equipment and basic recipe are provided. In addition participants will be given a detailed handout and summary to take away with them for reference.

Participants are encouraged to bring along their own apples and pears for identification or, depending on the variety, press them themselves in the practical sessions.

The course includes refreshments and an informal light lunch.

For questions and to book email: kimberlycampion@brogdalecollections.co.uk