90th National Fruit Show

03/11/2023

This week Nick and Steph attended the 90^th National Fruit Show at Kent County Showground. Our stand, which we share with our European partner nursery Botden & Van Willegen attracted visitors from across the fruit growing world. On display were examples of knip and run thru trees that are supplied to commercial fruit growers. We also showed new varieties such as Sunburst (a tropical flavoured yellow apple which has pink flesh), Supernova (a red clone of Pinova), Wildfire Gala (a Gala clone that picks 3 weeks earlier than traditional clones), Alpigala (a very dark red clone of Gala) and Crimson Crisp (a new variety from USA).

The National Fruit Show celebrated its 90^th anniversary in style with many entries into the Top and Soft Fruit Competition and a special dinner. Starting in 1933 at Marden, the then, Marden Fruit Show was the first official meeting and was a means for the industry to show their finest produce to the top customers of the time. They were privileged to have the buyer from Selfridges visit the Show from London to select what fruit they would buy.

Frank P Matthews have been exhibiting at the Fruit Show for over 30 years having starting in 1991 when we joined forces with Blackmoor Nursery to exhibit the best fruit trees available to buy at the time.

The show moved to the Kent Showground at Detling in 1992 and has gone from strength to strength. Frank Matthews has exhibited every year and even when there was break in the physical show for Covid, we still took part in the online show offering breakout rooms to discuss customers planting needs.

Throughout the years, the National Fruit Show has been a fantastic opportunity for growers and industry representatives to get together to showcase new innovation and discuss the past, present and future.

This year saw a number of Frank Matthews customers win awards for their apples, pears, walnuts, cobnuts, juice and cider.

The show was opened by Minette Batters, President of the NFU who also received the Jon Jones Award, an annual prize for an individual who goes above and beyond for the industry.

Frank P Matthews sponsors the show by supporting the Apple World National Fruit Show Education Team with material and trees that are planted to participating schools in the Kent and London area.

This free educational programme specifies in workshops for key stage 2 and 3 children focusing on the science of the life cycle of an apple tree, where our food comes from and healthy eating. The children get the chance to taste British grown fruit when it is in season and also try fruit crisps and fruit leathers from Nims Fruit Crisps.

There is information on how to get involved along with free activities and ideas on their website so do check them out.

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