From orchards to Apple Day: Chiswick’s fruity history

A new book, The Chiswick Fruit Timeline, traces Chiswick’s connections with apples and pears from its role as west London’s nursery gardens to today’s pocket orchards

Guest blog from Abundance London

Abundance London is proud to announce the publication on Saturday 6 September of the Chiswick Fruit Timeline: A History in Apples and Pears.

The book will be launched at the Abundance Apple Day, taking place at the Chiswick Library, Saturday 6 September, from 11am – 3pm, in the presence of the Mayor of Hounslow, Chiswick Riverside councillor Amy Croft, and MP for Hammersmith & Chiswick Andy Slaughter.

This book is the sister to the original Chiswick Timeline: A History in Art and Maps, that was published in 2018 to celebrate the launch of the Timeline Mural under the railway bridge at Turnham Green Terrace.

READ ALSO: Chiswick Timeline

That book sold out on the launch day, was reprinted and is now a collectors’ item. We hope this book, written and designed by the same team, will be equally successful.

Chiswick’s fruity history

Chiswick has a long and distinguished fruity history, seeing the launch of apple and pear varieties of international importance, such as Williams, Conference and Bartlett, that have spread around the world and changed the landscapes and eating habits of millions of people.

The first national conferences on fruit varieties were held in Chiswick in the 19th century, and the most successful horticultural show in the world, the Chelsea Flower Show was held here for the first decades of its existence.

Even today Chiswick’s oldest trees date back to the era of nursery and market gardens and orchards, and can be found in local private gardens and public spaces.

Newly planted orchards in Chiswick House, Gunnersbury Park and Dukes Meadows continue the tradition. Yet bitter battles have also raged over the planting of additional fruit trees that might drop their fruit onto public paths.

READ ALSO: Life is just a bowl of cherries – not

This book provides a fascinating and attractive insight into a unique aspect of our local area.

Children using an apple scratter at a previous Apple Day

Fruit picking and apple days

Abundance London has been running fruit picking sessions and Apple Day festivities since 2010. Apple gluts are collected by dedicated volunteers and all surplus fruit (in the run up to, and after, Apple Day) is supplied to local foodbanks.

It also takes care of 30 local pocket gardens and runs horticultural, arts and educational projects.

The Chiswick Fruit Timeline is written by Karen Liebreich, director of Abundance London, and designed and produced by Starch Green Studio.

Kate Fishenden and Jonathan Mercer produce sensitive and beautiful print work and branding branding for discerning customers, always using their artists’ eye to create exceptional designs.

As artists and designers, they are involved in the local artistic community exhibiting annually in Artists at Home and organising the Askew Road Arts Festival.

Kate Fishenden & Jonathan Mercer, Starch Green Studio

The Chiswick Fruit Timeline has been made possible through the generosity of local individuals and companies. With grateful thanks to Jenny & Chris Blishen, Louise Kaye, Julian Tanner, Jeremy Vine, the George IV pub and Terra Futura Fragrance.

The Chiswick Fruit Timeline will be available at the Abundance Apple Day, price £10 (all profits to support the work of Abundance London), and thereafter from select local bookstores and via abundancelondon.com.

Dr Karen Liebreich MBE is the director of Abundance London adn author of a number of books on a variety of subjects