News

Bradbourne House and, for the 26^th successive year, its gardens, including the Hatton Fruit Garden, at East Malling in Kent will be open to the public on Sunday, 23 April from 2-5pm in support of the National Gardens Scheme.

The Hatton Fruit Garden consists of demonstration fruit tree plantings of particular interest to amateurs. Staff from East Malling Research will show how the fruit trees have been grown, trained and pruned to produce cordons and espaliers and the more unusual goblets, pyramids, fans, arches, crowns, le bateau and arcure forms.

Bradbourne House is a privately owned, Grade 1 listed, Tudor period house with fine rooms, halls, staircases and a unique collection of watercolours and portraits. In addition, there will be displays by scientists from East Malling Research plus music and refreshments.

Admission �3.00. Children (under 16) free. Entrance on New Road, East Malling, Kent off the A20.

Probably the oldest known fact about Bradbourne House is that it was bought by Richard Manningham from George Catlyn, who died in 1590. His was the Tudor house engulfed within the present building, and of which some visible traces remain in the existing cellars. Originally it was moated and contructed around an open courtyard. Subsequent readjustments are so intricate and complete that all Tudor architectural features are almost completely obliterated. Whatever is peculiar in the internal arrangements of the house was due to the necessity of fitting a building of symmetrical external design to pre-existing walls of Tudor date.

Richard Manningham, died in 1611 and Bradbourne House was sold and emparked by Sir Thomas Twisden of Roydon Hall in 1656. He was recorder of Maidstone and later a judge. He was one of the Commission who tried the regicides after the restoration and was an Assessor after the Great Fire of London. It remained in the possession of his family until 1938. Bradbourne House is now owned by the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research.

Externally the existing house has all the appearance of a building entirely erected in the reign of Queen Anne and shows no indication of the large amount of Tudor walling it contains. Its principal fa�ades face west and south. The lead-work of the pediment of the former bears the initials of Sir Thomas Twisden, third baronet, and his wife, dated 1713. An existing letter (Arch. Cant., V, p. 89), dated November 5th 1715, speaks of Sir Thomas as "now come into Bradbourne" and "has made a very fine place, but there is very little of it furnished yet".

The house is thus very securely dated. What appears to be the state entrance is in the middle of the west fa�ade, but it admits directly into the Great Hall and cannot have been generally used. The practical entrance for everyday use is round on the north side, protected by a later porch of Adam's type. The main western door had a lead fanlight inserted at a later date, and the windows deglazed.

The other windows on this front retain the solider woodwork of Queen Anne's time. The south fa�ade is not in its original condition. The central bay bears the date 1774, when it was thrown out to give dignity to a new drawing room, and this was only part of the changes then made, mostly in the interior . There are also signs of other changes on this side of the house, the oval sham windows being insertions within the large oblong frames which appear to have formerly been window openings similar to those on other parts of this front. The brickwork is excellent throughout, especially the pretended niches which diversify the composition.

The House contains several fine rooms, the most imposing being the Great Hall which was restored in 1957/1958 with the assistance of the Pilgrim Trust. It's panelling is later in character than the rest of Sir Thomas's work. It is covered by a deep cove and a flat ceiling. The adjacent breakfast-room is more intimate and liveable, but likewise large and well proportioned. The drawing- room (now the Committee Room) was constructed and decorated in 1774. It has a very beautiful ceiling in the Adam's style. The neighbouring library was later used as a dining room and likewise has an elaborate ceiling of the same period. Family tradition asserts that the drawing room, dining room and balcony room fireplaces were brought from Italy.

The staircases offer a somewhat difficult problem. They had to be fitted in among the old Tudor walls. The walnut staircase which is simple and massive and stowed away in the background of the house, is in fact the main staircase leading from the flagged Marble Hall. The handsome oak staircase only leads to two rooms. The undersides of the treads of this staircase are tastefully moulded and carved.

The house contains several interesting pieces of furniture, notably, a settee and a set of chairs, of about the same age as the house, which are said to have come from Roydon Hall. Chief, however, among the contents is the fine collection of English portraits, mostly of the seventeenth century. They not only include likenesses of most of the chief members of the family and relations, but a great number of historical characters, men and women, of the period. They are partly the accretion of successive generations, but largely also the result of a definite collecting intention, brought together during the nineteenth century when such pictures came into the market in considerable numbers and were little regarded.

Bradbourne is also thought to be an as an example of the best period of Queen Anne brickwork.

Flanking the house on the north is the stable block containing a large and good range of buildings. Originally they were opened by a row of great windows facing south, and may have been intended for an orangery. At what period they were altered to their present purpose is not recorded. The brickwork is entirely different from that of the house. They abut against an ancient barn and other rather imposing farm building.

The Hatton Fruit Gardens were formerly the walled kitchen gardens of Bradbourne House.

When the Bradbourne House estate was acquired in 1938 Dr (later Sir) Ronald Hatton, Director of East Mailing Research Station at the time, wanted to create a fruit garden devoted to the skill of the fruit tree trainer. At the time, the finest examples of trained fruit trees in the UK were scattered across the country and almost entirely in the rapidly diminishing number of large country houses and estates. Dr Hatton set about creating a fruit garden which would be both a memorial to the art of tree training and pruning and a source of information, providing examples for future fruit gardening enthusiasts. Hatton's interests in tree training had been inspired by the fruit plantings in the Louis XIV kitchen garden at Versailles and in planning his demonstration garden, Hatton included several forms characteristic of French fruit gardens.

Hatton achieved his ambition in 1945 when his demonstration gardens were planted.

The concept was to establish a fruit garden with trees planted at appropriate spacings to show the economic use of ground without over-crowding. The garden demonstrated the use of different rootstocks to control tree vigour and also their influence on early bearing.

A range of varieties was selected for dessert qualities, reliability of cropping, fruit colour and season of harvest. But the predominant feature of the gardens was the use of pruning and training to achieve a wide range of tree forms. Hatton felt that by using intensive planting of small trees he would make the fruit garden attractive and interesting as well as achieving high productivity. Trees of limited height would permit cultural and management operations to be undertaken with relative ease.

The fruit gardens were originally named the Bradbourne Fruit Gardens but these were renamed the Hatton Fruit Gardens during a visit to East Malling by the Royal Horticultural Society's Fruit Group to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Group in 1966. Sir Ronald Hatton was the founder and first Chairman of the Fruit Group in 1945. He did much to foster the fruit interests of private gardeners as well as directing research for the benefit of commercial growers.

The Hatton Gardens, of one acre in area, are enclosed within walls on three sides and open to the south. Originally, the northern half was devoted to pears and the southern half to apples, with peaches planted on the walls and trained in the fan form. Although selective tree removal and replanting has occurred over the years, many examples of the original planting remain. For example, the trees bordering the paths and the block of trees on the left hand side as one enters the gardens are the original trees, now well over 50 years old.

The central avenue is lined with apples as double 'U' cordons and, further' north, pears as the 'arcure' form. Examples of the original three-tier espaliers around the border of the Gardens still remain, while in the centre of the Gardens new six-tier pears are being established

New plantings in 1969/70 consisted of a wider range of tree forms, planted towards the north end of the Gardens. These are planted more spaciously than hitherto, to allow greater access for visitors and use was made of some of the rootstocks which have become available since the original plantings were established.

The Gardens contain the widest range of fruit tree forms in the country . There are cordons, pyramids and espaliers and variants of these basic forms: oblique and vertical cordons, cordon arches, double 'U' cordons, step-over, goblet, crown, arcure, le bateau, winged pyramid etc.

The Gardens continue to evolve and a refurbishment and replanting phase has commenced. Recent plantings include peach, apricot and fig trees trained on the walls in the fan form. Two new arches are being established, also a new bateau, winged pyramid and espaliers. These will provide visitors with demonstrations of how the different tree forms are produced. New plantings of apples in the south east area of the Gardens will include examples of varieties produced by the breeders at East Malling Research alongside some of the older.

Time: 24 June 10.30am � 3.30pm, 25 June 11am-4pm
Maidstone Museum, St Faith�s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH

Insects Alive is a weekend of activities celebrating National Insect Week and organised by the Maidstone Museum and East Malling Research.

The activities at the Maidstone Museum will give families the chance to become researchers for the day and delve into the world of garden insects. Come and use a microscope to see the smallest of bugs, like greenfly, and hunt for live specimens in Brenchley gardens! Children can collect small mini-beasts from the trail in the garden, and we�ll help you to investigate them. Books, keys and activity sheets will all be provided; insect hand puppets and models will give you an extra clue!

If you�re more interested in giant mini-beasts, then giant millipedes, hissing cockroaches and a tarantula will be on show. There will also be an opportunity to handle an insect at set times throughout the day. Come and see some photos of insects up close!

Researchers and the museum learning team will chat about what they do, why they do it and how that relates to horticulture and gardening.

This is the first time that both live insects and the collections in the museum have been used together for people to explore.

National Insect Week aims to �Create a Buzz about Insects� and will be launched by BBC�s Springwatch presenter Kate Humble in the Natural History Museum�s Wildlife Garden in London on 19 June.

This event is being co-ordinated by the Dr Ed Jarzembowski and Hayley Stephens at the Maidstone Museum and Dr Chantelle Jay at East Malling Research and is funded by the BBSRC.

A symposium for woodland owners, landscape architects, developers, highway planners, foresters, conservation organisations, nurseries and local authorities.

This symposium presents the outcome of many field surveys in Sussex and Kent and a comprehensive review of published literature on woodland creation, management and natural succession. A new and original guide (148 pages) for planting woodland for wildlife has been produced. The text is illustrated with case studies that show real examples of woodland design and management in practice. The principles are demonstrated in the recently planted Woodland Trust's Victory Wood in Kent. Similar work has been done by CRPF in northern France. A copy of the UK guide will be provided free to all participants of this meeting.

Members of EMRA and the NHA are cordially invited to this event devoted to Hops. Topics and talks have been chosen as part of the Hop Breeding Centenary celebrations. The past, present and future of hop growing and breeding will be discussed in a day of talks and tours which, we hope, will prove informative to all growers with an interest in the subject.

VISITS TO ORGANIC ORCHARDS

22, 23 and 24 August 2006

East Malling Research, Kent, UK � 22 August

Nord Pas De Calais, France � 23 August

Gembloux, Belgium � 24 August

This is a unique opportunity to visit orchards in France and Belgium following a day of talks at EMR.

Three days of orchard visits have been organised covering a range of topics. The programme is flexible and you may attend for the full three days or on selected days of your choice.

22 August - East Malling Research, Kent, UK

10.00 - arrive at East Malling Research, 16.00 - depart farm following refreshments.

Apple varieties for organic production, apple and strawberry plantings, control of rosy apple aphid, disease control, water stress and weed competition, afternoon orchard visit.

23 August � Organic orchards at Chorette, Genech and Lecelles, Nord pas de Calais, France

6:00 - Depart from EMR. 10:00 -arrive at meeting point in France, 16:00 - leave orchard following refreshments.

Orchard management, use of traditional varieties, varietal susceptibility to pests and diseases, use of refuges, control of apple blossom weevil and apple sawfly and orchard visits.

24 August � Centre Wallon de Recherches Agronomiques, Gembloux, Belgium

9:30 - arrive at Gembloux, 16:30 - depart.

Introduction to the fruit department at Wallon, new apple and pear varieties, orchard visit to see traditional varieties and experimental orchards, grower�s orchard visit at Temploux.

There will be a small cost to cover travel and subsistence. Lunch and refreshments will be provided

If you are interested please contact Jean Fitzgerald for the full programme:

jean.fitzgerald@emr.ac.uk; 01732 843833

Scientists from East Malling Research (EMR) hope to encourage wider debate during a seminar session for attendees at the 2006 National Fruit Show where they will provide up-dates on a diverse range of projects - Thursday 19 October, 10.30am Astor Pavilion. The East Malling Research stand at the National Fruit Show is number V7 and will show posters based on the seminar presentations.

With rising wage bills and an annual scramble to employ the most efficient pruners, Dr Chris Atkinson, Head of Science for EMR, will discuss a project to develop innovative hedgerow orchard systems, which utilise the principles of mechanical pruning/thinning to reduce labour costs, allow for precise delivery of nutrients and water and optimise fruit quality.

Rosaceous fruit crops, which include pome, stone and soft fruits, are economically important in many countries in the world and most crops are traded as world commodities. Dr Kate Evans will review a desktop study which investigated the current effort in rosaceous fruit breeding programmes worldwide.

Apple leaf midge is a widespread and abundant pest with no satisfactory control measures. It is particularly damaging in nurseries and newly planted orchards. Jerry Cross will discuss a project that is identifying a sex pheromone and developing traps for the midge, to allow growers to schedule application of sprays.

UK consumers want perfect apples of Cox, Gala and Bramley which are free of pesticide residues. Angela Berrie will show how to develop an integrated pest and disease management system to produce such apples profitably and sustainably.

The session will be Chaired by Dr Colin Gutteridge, Chief Executive Officer for East Malling Research.

East Malling Research (EMR) is an independent provider of research and consultancy serving the perennial horticulture industry. EMR builds on 90 years of experience of successfully transferring information that has transformed horticulture. www.eastmallingresearch.com

KENT HORTICULTURAL BURSARY

ANNUAL LECTURE

VENUE: CONFERENCE CENTRE, EAST MALLING RESEARCH

Following ten successful years at the Ashford International Hotel in Kent, the soft fruit conference has undergone a �make-over� for 2006. Now named the British Berry Conference, a new venue has been found at the Ramada Hotel, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham.

Commenting on this major �revamp� conference organisers David Simpson and Scott Raffle explained that industry feedback from recent conferences hinted that the venue and structure of the conference were becoming tired and the industry needed change. Detailed consultation between the organising committee and high profile industry parties took place in the winter months and the decision was taken to move to the midlands.

When questioned on why the midlands was chosen, Raffle stated that this new venue is more centrally located and believed that it would attract more interest from a large proportion of the industry that is no longer based in the South East.

On the structure of the conference, Simpson explained that the old �round robin� sessions had been scrapped. �The new format will be composed of main platform sessions and parallel sessions where delegates can choose between two series of talks based on a common theme� he said. He followed on to explain that in response to delegate requests, longer breaks had been created between sessions to allow delegates to meet, chat and do business. This would also provide more time for delegates to visit trade stands.

Talks at this year�s event will be based on central themes including marketing, waste, pesticides, and production.

Speakers on the marketing theme will include Lucy Rickett of Sputnik Communications (reviewing soft fruit promotional activities in 2006), Andrew Fearne of Dunn Humby (discussing consumer trends in soft fruit based on Tesco�s club card scheme), Stephanie Hilton from the USA (providing an overview of soft fruit marketing in USA) and David Northcroft previously of KG Fruits (providing an overview of the soft fruit market in Australia and Mexico) There will also be a review of the soft fruit marketing season in the UK.

Waste management will be addressed by Ian Muir of ADAS who will provide an up-date on waste minimisation and recycling for the soft fruit industry.

Speakers addressing the pesticide theme include Steve Gardner of QTS Analytical (providing an insight into changes in the world of pesticide residue testing), Peter Shakespeare of Certis Europe (offering information on pesticide resistance management in soft fruit) and Vivian Powell of HDC (providing a review of the ever changing world of pesticide legislation).

On the theme of crop production, talks will be presented on blueberry production in Poland (Stephen Taylor, Winterwood Farm), improved water management (Peter White of Peter White Water), controlled release fertilisers for soft fruit (Shaun Kavanagh of Scotts), powdery mildew control in strawberries (Steve Parker of CSL), exciting new developments in vine weevil and thrips control (Tariq Butt of Swansea University) and an up-date on the LINK project to reduce pesticide use in raspberries (Jerry Cross of EMR). Finally, the conference will be addressed by a Dutch grower on a novel way to produce strawberries.

The conference will take place over two days (14^th and 15^th November) and will include a champagne reception and dinner on the 14^th with breakfast and lunch provided on the 15^th. The Ramada Hotel in Sutton Coldfield is readily accessible by road and is ideally positioned within distance of Birmingham airport for those delegates coming from Scotland or overseas.

Details about booking a place or trade stands at the conference can be obtained from Jean Hodges at East Malling Research (01732) 843833 or E-Mail jean.hodges@emr.ac.uk