We’ve compiled a list of useful societies/organisations, companies and colleges to approach for fruit related matters! We don’t want to loose you, but if you’ve finished browsing our site you may enjoy investigating the following:

Commercial scale production:

Vigo
For customers interested in commercial scale production please visit our commercial site.
www.vigoltd.com

For all things orchard and community groups

www.rootle.info
This website introduces the main elements of home orchard design and is supplemented with background information. It can be used as a self-help resource or as preparation for a day course in home orchard design run periodically by the originator of Rootle, Philip Wilson. Philip has a background in plant propagation, spent several years evaluating variety trials at the National Fruit Collections and has his own collection of about 150 varieties.
www.rootle.info

South Lakeland Orchard Group
The South Lakeland Orchard Group is an enthusiastic & knowledgeable group that aims to conserve, maintain and renovate existing orchards; encourage the planting of new orchards in the South Lakeland, recognising and enhancing bio-diversity and encouraging the preservation of old varieties of fruit.www.slorchards.co.uk.

Colwall Orchard Project
A dynamic and innovative group that has worked to restore neglected, traditional orchards around the village of Colwall in Herefordshire. They have extended their activities to include training and social events and are now hoping to set up a new venture, in conjunction with the Colwall Allotment Association, to create a village garden and community orchard.
http://colwallvillagegarden.org/aboutus.aspx

Brogdale Orchard
Home of the National Fruit Collections. Offers advice on Orchard management, fruit Identification, events & Training courses.
www.brogdale.org
Tel: 01795 535286

Defra
Environmental Stewardship Grants for farmers and land managers both at entry level or higher-level stewardship for the restoration and management of traditional orchards
www.defra.gov.uk
www.defra.gov.uk/erda/schemes/hls/handbook/appendix1-c-orchards.htm

Gloucestershire Orchard Group
An independent association whose aim is to conserve, promote and Celebrate traditional orchards. The informative website has details local event fruit varieties, orchard management and useful contacts.
www.orchard-group.uklinux.net/glos/

Marcher Apple Network
Based in the Southern Marches this society promotes the preservation and establishment of traditional apple and pear orchards.
www.marcherapple.net

National Orchard Forum
An organisation working to enhance the effectiveness of local orchard groups by pooling information and expertise from around the country and to encourage the formation of local groups.
www.nat-orchard-forum.org.uk

Orchard Link
Saving traditional orchards
www.orchardlink.org.uk

Orchards Live
Saving orchards in North Devon &apple juicing & cider making courses( in Devon, UK)
Tel: 01884 861181

The Orchard Gazetteer
Find an orchard or orchard produce near you (UK only)
www.england-in-particular.info/gazetteer/gz-index.html

The Symondsbury Apple Project
Orchard care & conservation
www.appleproject.org.uk

For Apple Days:

Lostwithiel Apple Day in association with the Eden Projects - supported by Vigo Ltd
Click here for more information

Common Ground
Find an Apple Day near you (UK only)
www.commonground.org.uk/appleday/a-appleday.html
www.england-in-particular.info

The National Trust
Find an Apple Day or apple related event near you (UK only) – click on Find an Event, then select Food & Cookery
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-events.htm

All About Fruit:

www.fruitforum.net
The Fruit Forum is a web space for anything to do with fruit – authoritative, but also anecdotal. Topics will cover the broadest range from growing fruit and discovering its origins to fruit in art and literature.

It has a calendar of forthcoming fruit related events, an article archive and perhaps, more importantly, a blog where you can ask questions, receive advice or post comments.
www.fruitforum.net

For Courses:

Orchards Live
Apple Juicing & Cider Making Courses (in Devon)
Tel: 01884 861181 (The Secretary)
Email: jane@blackdog.ukf.net

Pershore Group of Colleges
Courses on Fruit Orcharding, Apple Juice Processing & Cider Making (in Pershore)
www.pershore.ac.uk

Somerset Orchard & Cider Project
5 day courses on Cider Making (Jan & Sept) and 1 day course by Arrangement.
www.ciderfarmlakes.co.uk

The Symondsbury Apple Project
Course on Orchard Management & Pruning
www.appleproject.org.uk

Guides to Apple Juice, Cider & Wine Making:

Cider Museum
Cider Museum Hereford presents the history of cider making and distillation from the 17th century to the present day and hosts events, festivals and programmes for Schools etc
www.cidermuseum.co.uk

National Association Of Cider Makers
“The science of cider making”
www.cideruk.com

Plumpton College
Courses on Wine Making and Viticulture
www.plumpton.ac.uk

The House of Wine
Online home winemaking information & recipes – free membership!
www.thehouseofwine.co.uk

The Wittenham Hill Cider Portal
Comprehensive guide to cider and apple juice production, including problem solving
www.cider.org.uk

Suppliers of Fruit Trees/Bushes (UK only):

Bransford Garden Plants
S upply vines to garden centres Click on Retailers
www.potsgardenclub.com

Cider Apple Trees
S upply apple trees for cider, eating, cooking & juicing
www.topfruittrees.co.uk
www.ciderappletrees.co.uk
Tel: 01963 441101

The Brogdale Horticultural Trust
Supply fruit trees in general and house National Fruit Collection
www.brogdale.org
Tel: 01795 535286

Societies/Organisations:

The Royal Horticultural Society
www.rhs.org.uk

Welsh Perry and Cider
An independent body of Society Ltd producers and enthusiasts, with the intention of promoting Welsh Perry & Cider throughout the UK.
www.welshcider.co.uk

Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU)
CALU is a Farming Connect Development Centre and exists to transfer technology to any business in Wales that is interested in horticulture, bio-energy, alternative crops, alternative livestock and/or farm woodlands.
www.calu.bangor.ac.uk

Magazines:

AskPG.com
Ask PG is a new website designed to give you all the information you need to follow a more natural and healthy lifestyle.
www.askpg.com

Organic Gardening Magazine
www.organic.gardening.com

Gifts:

Nicola Werner Pottery
The beautiful Cider Cup featured on our Cider Making and Storing Cider page was designed and produced by Nicola Werner, whose pottery is inspired by nature and European majolica.  From her workshop in the Blackdown Hills in Devon, Nicola produces a wide range of domestic ware (e.g., jugs, mugs, plates, and tiles) for sale through various galleries across the country or by mail-order, and can be commissioned to produce one-off commemorative pieces for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, etc..  Please see Nicola's website for more information.
www.nicolawerner.com

If you have approached any of the above societies/organisations, companies and colleges, your feedback would be most welcome. Please email us at presses@vigoltd.com