Food Programme - Brogdale

Sheila Dillon explores Brogdale in Kent, home of the National Fruit Collection, updating a story covered by the programme in the early 1990s and in 2007 when one of the greatest of our living food plant collections was under threat. They are to remain there following a reversal of a government decision two years ago to move over 4,000 trees and plants to another site. Since then Brogdale has flourished in many different ways. Sheila revisits the site and explores some of the new food-related businesses that have developed in the 'Market Place' with new investment and refurbishment. In addition to the food businesses, there are educational tours and a laboratory that can analyse the nutrient value of different soils and diagnose plant problems. The Plant Centre, which can identify different varieties for Brogdale, boasts over 2,000 different varieties of apples, including 60 different varieties of cooking apples. It remains of global as well as national significance. Sheila meets Joan Morgan of the Friends of Brogdale, who campaigned to save Brogdale, and talks to Tony Hillier of Hillreed Land and landscape architect Tom le Dell. She drops in on food businesses including the Tiddly Pomme, selling ciders, wines and fruit juices, and events caterers, Scott Anderson.