Technical Visit to Starkey’s Fruit Farm

Background:

The Starkey’s have been growing apples, including Bramleys, at Norwood Park, Southwell, since 1910 and the passion has continued into the 4th generation. Southwell is known as the birthplace of the Bramley Seedling and hosts an annual Bramley apple festival every autumn. The original tree is over 200 years old and still alive in Southwell. In 1994 Sir John, grandson of the first owner of Norwood Park, along with his scientist ‘pals’ from the University of Nottingham, took genetic material from the tree to preserve its DNA. The result is a thriving orchard of Original Bramley Seedlings, from which the company have created the Extraordinary John Starkey Range of apple products including: whole fruit, named variety juices, compotes, cider and cider vinegar. The company also grow many other heritage apple varieties and soft fruits such as strawberries and blackberries. 

Overview of the visit: 

Suzannah Starkey, daughter of Sir john and company Sales Director will show us the apple pack house and cold storage facility and small juicing plant that is located amongst their orchards of apples, and will tell the story of the Original Bramley apple tree of Southwell, how that is linked to the family business, and how that business as continued to develop and diversify over the years to create a line of premium food products, collaborating with local Universities along the way, especially in the preservation of genetic material from the original Bramley tree. 

There will be an opportunity to taste a contrasting range of single variety apple juices and appreciate their sensory differences. 

Alice Jones, Sensory Scientist from the Enabling Innovation team at the University of Nottingham, who has worked closely with the business in recent years, will be on hand to explain the various interactions that the company have made with the University over the years to aid its development. 

The visit aims to showcase an example of an artisan agri-food business and draws attention to the application of food science and technology in food and drink SMEs.

Directions: Once you’ve entered the Norwood Park Estate, head for Norwood Park golf course which is located just next the Fruit Farm, as you get closer you pick up signs for the Fruit Farm, follow these until you reach a small parking area in front of the main pack house building – we will assemble here. 

Please dress in warm clothes and wear sturdy footwear as the entire tour will be conducted outside/in unheated factory areas on a working farm/production facility.