21 Years of UK Apple Day yet 33% of our apple orchards have been lost in the last decade

APPLES rank as the UK’s second favourite fruit, just behind the banana, and each year we consume roughly 680 thousand tonnes of them. But surprisingly only 34% of the apples we eat comes from the UK. This is despite the UK being a prime environment for growing apples and boasting over 2,300 varieties. In the last decade the UK has lost 31% of its apple orchard land; in the last 25 years 56% of our apple orchards have disappeared.

Thursday 21 October is 21st anniversary of UK Apple Day and CPRE is asking people to do their bit by biting into a British apple. This challenge is harder then you might think: in a spot online survey of 3 leading UK supermarkets CPRE found only 29% of the apples available were identifiably British. This survey was carried out in peak UK apples season.

Graeme Willis, Local Food Campaigner for CPRE, says:- “The rate at which we have lost British apple orchards is crazy. We have one of the best climates for growing apples yet we are importing most of the apples we eat.  We want people to try one of the superb home grown apple varieties first and think twice before reaching for an imported Golden Delicious or a Granny Smith.”

UK apple season runs from July to March. Many varieties are suitable for short term storage making UK apples available for much of the year.

Graeme Willis concluded:- “The truth is the UK market is dominated by a few apple varieties and brands, many not grown in this country. Yet, you could eat a different UK apple variety each day for six years and still not try the same one twice. There are as many different tastes as cheese, wine or ale.  We’re not saying that imported apples are bad, and from wherever it comes, an apple a day is good for us. But by seeking out British apples at their seasonal best we can enjoy them more and do a better job of supporting local producers. It’s better for the environment and for the local economy too.”

Apple Day is celebrated all over the country with local tasting days and other events. By joining in people can show their support for the countryside and UK farmers, and try a sample of the huge and wonderful variety of UK apples and ciders.

Letter to the editor:- "Remembrance Day"

"AS Remembrance Day approaches, it is important not only to remember the human victims of war, but also the animals who have been used for detection, scouting and rescue, as messengers, as beasts of burden and on the frontline. Vast numbers of animals - in farms and zoos, for instance - continue to be innocent bystander victims when conflicts start. Meanwhile, in secret UK Ministry of Defence Research laboratories, thousands of animals suffer and die each year when they are infected with biological or chemical agents, or deliberately shot or otherwise harmed. To commemorate all the animal victims, Animal Aid has issued a purple poppy, which can be worn alongside the traditional red or white ones, as a reminder that both humans and animals have been and continue to be victims of war. to find out more go to www.animalaid.org.uk." Yours faithfully, Karin Watts Purple Poppy Coordinator.

MEMORY: A National Conference on Dance & Dementia

CHATURANGAN in partnership with Merseyside Dance Initiative are to present a groundbreaking multi disciplinary conference, managed by the Aspire Trust, entitled:- 'MEMORY: A National Conference on Dance and Dementia' at the Bluecoat on 10 December  to 11 December 2010.

This will be the first time a conference that exclusively investigates dance’s effect on dementia patients has been delivered and forms part of Liverpool PCT’s Year of Health and Well Being and the LEAP 2010 Year of Dance.

This multi-disciplinary arts and health event combines academic papers, keynote dance works and presentations of art based research in dementia care by leading practitioners in the field and specially commissioned dance performances and films.

There is a growing interest in how the dance community can contribute to health and well-being especially of those with mental health problems such as memory loss. The Department of Health's National Dementia Strategy (2009) places a central focus on de-stigmatising dementia, raising awareness, supporting carers, and training and developing care staff. The conference will bring an additional awareness of the needs of friends and families whose lives have been affected by this condition.

Key speakers at MEMORY include Dr Richard Coaten, (leading specialist, dance and dementia) François Matarasso, (Chair, Arts Council, East Midlands) Diane Amans, (Dance artist, choreographer, training consultant )and Dr Sarah Whatley (Professor of Dance and Director of Research, ICELAB: Coventry School of Art and Design) and many other leaders in this field of research.

This innovative conference features two new dance pieces, which have been specially been commissioned for presentation at the conference; ‘Pieces of Memory, Pieces of Map’ is performed by Bisakha Sarker and Diane Amans, choreographed and developed with Adam Benjamin, funded by Liverpool City Council’s Dance Commission 10 for 2010 and a new work for older dancers choreographed by London based artist Francis Angol in collaboration with participants from the Liveability project at the Sunflower Centre in Woolton Village. In addition to these pieces the conference will include a new film addressing the stigma against dementia which has been commissioned by MDI and funded by Liverpool PCT.

MEMORY brings together a diverse range of artists, health and medical professionals, care staff, biomedical researchers, arts organisations and friends and families of those living with dementia. This conference is of the upmost importance in exploring the new techniques that have been developed to combat the onset of dementia and also those to help mange it if it has taken hold. We aim to explore the latest thinking, share best practice and define new ways of working in this exciting and developing field.  

Conference Details - MEMORY: A National Conference on Dance & Dementia will take place at the Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BX on 10 & 11 December 2010

Delegate Prices - Individuals:- £90, Organisations:- £175

EARLY BIRD OFFER - Book before 31 October 2010 to receive a discount on delegate prices. Individuals: £75. Organisations: £150. How to Book – Please contact Clare Bentley at Aspire on:- 0151 639 9231 or send a email. You will then receive a registration form, accommodation details and further information about the conference.