Orchards Live - saving orchards in North Devon

Cider

“Notwithstanding the accumulation of evils arising from the production, use and abuse of cider, the men of Devon are more strongly attracted to it than even those in Herefordshire.  Their Orchards might well be styled their Temples and Apple Trees their Idols of Worship” (William Marshall, 1806)

Information

The best place to start for information about cider is Andrew Lea's Wittenham Hill cider portal.

Try also the online encyclopaedia maintained by cider enthusiasts.

A 'Google' group for people interested in real UK cider.

Try the UK cider bookshop for cider books.

Cider has been described as being "Good and Wholesome Liquor enough, provided it be used with moderation and, it may be said, that in general it is better for Health than Wine". "We know by experience that most of those who drink nothing but this Liquor are stronger, haler and look better than those that drink wine; of which my Lord Bacon gives us a notable example". He mentions "Eight old people, some of which were near a Hundred Years old, and others were an Hundred and upwards. These old People, "says he, "Had drank nothing else but Cyder all their Life Time and were so strong at this age that they danced and hopped about like young men". (Quoted by Whimple History Society)

Culture

Cider people from the heart of 'Wurzel' country.

Wassail wiki.

Short video about Roger Wilkins - cidermaker from Somerset.

Resources

Vigo Ltd are the country's leading supplier of cidermaking equipment.   They are at Dunkeswell, north of Honiton.

'Huge and squat, the jar lay on the grass like an unexploded bomb. We lifted it up, unscrewed the stopper, and smelt the whiff of fermented apples. I held the jar to my mouth and rolled my eyes sideways, like a beast at a water hole. ‘Go on,’ said Rosie. I took a deep breath .....

Never to be forgotten, that first long secret drink of golden fire, juice of those valleys and of that time, wine of wild orchards, of russet summer, of plump red apples, and again Rosie’s burning cheeks. Never to be forgotten, or ever tasted again....’ ('Cider with Rosie' - Laurie Lee)

Copyright © 2008 Dartington North Devon Trust