A letter from the Weald of Kent – The Property Chronicle
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A letter from the Weald of Kent On apples, farm workers and Brexit

The Farmer

Apples on a tree

Dear Editor,

The harvest is mostly gathered in. Regionalised May ground and air frosts threatened the fruit that had enjoyed outstanding bud and blossom. Results were better than expected. Bramleys are now in store, Conference pears have been sold, Braeburn will soon be picked.

Two Cinderellas of the apple and pear world seem surprisingly unwanted. The Russet has lost favour with the supermarkets if not the general public and the glorious Rolls Royce of fruit, the Doyenne du Comice, a French named pear but deliciously English, stays ignored upon the trees.

Hops still grow in Kent. They are our county’s iconic crop despite the frantic rush to cast the Kentish fields in vineyards. Here the weather affected productivity but wise and careful attention saw healthy hops find their way into the new pockets, rather smaller than in the past and a necessity through an EU directive and hence an expensive new bailer.

Our local Ploughing Match has been and gone, attracting an ever substantial number of lovers of the land mingling with trippers, machines, traders and the business community.

We now await the National Fruit Show on Detling Hill. I shall be looking out for that 3lb Howgate Wonder and the rather flash New Holland T4 FNV.






The Farmer

About Nigel Wheeler

Nigel Wheeler

Nigel Wheeler was born into a hop and fruit growing Kentish family. He served as a schoolmaster in UK and New Zealand. He is a former magistrate and High Sheriff of Kent. He is an avid follower of sport, theatre and fine ale.

Articles by Nigel Wheeler

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