New London apple variety is named the ‘Core Blimey’
A new variety of apple that has been developed specifically for the city of London has today been named the ‘Core Blimey™’.
The first Core Blimey- public orchard- (Christchurch Primary School, in Wandsworth) being planted. 40 more public Core Blimey orchards are to be planted around London
The London Orchard Project, a charity that promotes orchard and fruit tree growing in the capital, has announced the title of the apple, following a national competition to name the new fruit. The Core Blimey is a unique new variety and will be the first London specific apple to be developed in over sixty years.
The Core Blimey apple variety has been developed by The London Orchard Project, in partnership with the nursery, ‘Trees for Life’ and is bred to be strong, durable and resilient to London’s harsh conditions. The apple variety, which has been nurtured from a single seed, has been gradually developed over a period of ten years.
Now the charity has 100 Core Blimey trees that are to be planted in various areas across London to celebrate its creation. The trees will be planted in 40 orchards in public spaces, parks and schools in the city throughout December, each of which will eventually provide Core Blimey apples to London’s local communities.
In addition to its resilience and adaptability to changeable conditions, the Core Blimey has been developed to bear high numbers of delicious sweet apples. The Core Blimey tree is also very easy to grow, even for the less experienced gardener.
Kath Rosen, the Chief Executive Officer of The London Orchard Project, explains, “Introducing the Core Blimey to public spaces will help us to continue to rejuvenate London’s lost heritage of fruit growing. The trees will brighten up the environments they are planted in as well as provide access to free, delicious and healthy fruit to all surrounding communities.”
Each of the neighbouring communities in areas around the 40 new London orchards will receive the first ever batch of Core Blimey trees. These communities are already planning celebrations around the planting of the apple trees, which will be in areas including schools, parks, and public areas in residential spaces. Members of each community will come together to assist with the planting in the coming weeks.
The winner of the competition to name the new variety will also win their own Core Blimey tree, taken from the original batch of 100.
Kath Rosen concludes, “The Core Blimey is a perfect name for the new variety, it encapsulates London, it’s fun, and- as a cockney term of surprise that dates back to the 1880’s- the phrase has a lot of history! We are looking forward to seeing the Core Blimey thrive, becoming a well-recognised variety of London fruit!”