AirS Newsletter - September 2012
Welcome to our September newsletter. The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness arrived all of a sudden, and with it our beautiful new book, Apples and Orchards in Sussex. This month we feature two themes very close to our hearts: local food and rural community buildings.
Contents
1. Apples and Orchards in Sussex
2. Save Our Village Halls!
3. Local Catch
1. Apples and Orchards in Sussex
Ever wondered who is growing traditional Sussex apple varieties such as Dr Hogg, Saltcote Pippin and Knobby Russet? Or where can you buy them, or get young trees so you can grow your own? The history of apple-growing in Sussex is rich and varied, and now you can read for yourself this intriguing account, written by Prof. Brian Short of the University of Sussex. We are launching the book on Apple Day, 30th September, at Stanmer Park near Brighton.
Apples and Orchards in Sussex was commissioned by AirS and Brighton Permaculture Trust, with help from the National Lottery, in response to the current challenges facing fruit growers and fruit consumers – the disappearance of commercial orchards, the scarcity of heritage varieties of apples associated with Sussex, and the domination of our supermarket shelves by imports. After years of creating community orchards, we wanted to share what we know about our fruit-growing past and to look at ways in which people today might get involved in orchards both as a treasured landscape feature and as a source of fruit.
Prof. Short has trawled the archives of the Kew Gardens, the Royal Horticultural Society and local museums to build up a detailed picture of how orchards originally came to England and to Sussex. Oral historians have gathered the stories of people across Sussex with inside knowledge of fruit-growing in our past.
The book provides an overview of where we are now, and how we all can contribute and benefit from locally grown fruit in the future. Professional growers in Sussex are listed, together with details of where we can buy their apples. It also celebrates the current upsurge in the creation of community orchards, showing where they are, and where to learn how to plant a single apple tree in a small urban garden or indeed a whole orchard.
The book is aimed at a broad readership, including general readers, those interested in fruit growing and cooking, those interested in local history, community and local food activists, volunteers, and professional growers. It is beautifully illustrated and would make an ideal gift.
Apples and Orchards in Sussex costs £15 and will be available from bookshops, ISBN 978-1-873850-23-7
Advance copies can be ordered direct from AirS by sending your name, address and a cheque payable to ‘Action in Rural Sussex’ for £17 (inc. P&P) to:
Anne Marie Bur
Action in Rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex BN7 2NH
anne-marie.bur@ruralsussex.org.uk
Trade orders should go to:
T. 01825 767396
F. 01825 765649
2. National Village Halls Campaign
There are over 10,000 village halls in England – 256 of them in Sussex. Each is a vital shared community resource, often for communities where no other such resources exist. Across the country, demand for the skills, experience and knowledge provided by Village Halls advisors such as our own Louise Beaton is growing – while funding is being cut.
Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and its 38 member organisations, of which AirS is one, ask that you support the forthcoming ACRE campaign in support of resources for village halls such as those we provide through the Rural Community Action Network (RCAN).
Please write or speak to your local authority, your local councillor or your MP – let them know how you value the services we provide. Make sure they know that halls are normally 100% run by volunteers, and that hall trustees accept 100% responsibility for the building. Expert support in legal and liability issues, fundraising, planning, consultation and much else besides for such committed volunteers is essential.
ACRE believes that government, local authorities and others need to work together to manage reduced resources wisely and maintain RCAN’s irreplaceable Village Halls support service.
You can also email your support direct to us here at AirS via louise.beaton@ruralsussex.org.uk or to ACRE, who will keep you informed of progress on their campaign: villagehalls@acre.org.uk
3. Local Catch
And finally here’s a gem we spotted in the Ebiz newsletter of Chichester District Council:
South East Seafood
South East Seafood has launched Local Catch, its seafood ‘App’, to make it easy for consumers and buyers to find the local catch of the day. Amongst other things the app allows seafood lovers to find out where they can buy fresh seafood and also alerts consumers with information about the latest catch, special offers and seafood events.
For more information and to download the app on to your phone, go to:
Tell us your news! Email emma.drew@ruralsussex.org.uk
If you no longer wish to receive this email newsletter please email ‘unsubscribe’ to info@ruralsussex.org.uk
AirS contact details:
Action in rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH
Tel: 01273 473422
Email: info@ruralsussex.org.uk
Website: www.ruralsussex.org.uk
Registered charity no. 1035401
Company registered in England no. 2907172
END