Staying true to National Fruit Show’s original aims

It may represent a ‘back to basics’ reset, but the man at the helm of this year’s National Fruit Show is determined that it will still showcase the best apples and pears that this country produces.

Nigel Bardsley, whose family has been involved with the Marden Fruit Show Society’s annual set piece event since his father John sat on the committee in the 1960s, is determined that this year’s one-day show will stay true to the original aims of the event and give more growers and dealers the chance to get involved.

“People’s time is valuable, and many of the varieties we now grow in this country are still being picked in late October or November, which can make it difficult to attend a two-day show,” explained Nigel, who took over as chairman of the show in April. “So far the response from growers and traders to this year’s planned one-day show has been completely positive.”

Nigel praised the organisers of the 2023 show for what he said was “a great event” and had matched expectation for the landmark 90th show, but said the costs had been high, prompting a hard look at the way forward.

“I was determined that it should continue, as I have been convinced for many years of the immense value of the National Fruit Show as a shop window for UK apples and pears,” he explained.

“I believe in the show, and I was prepared to do everything I could to make it a great show, but I wanted to bring it back to basics, not just to reduce the costs but to give more growers the opportunity to attend and to make sure we were focusing on the apples and pears that are at its heart.”

The ‘back to basics’ decision means no show dinner, juice or cider competitions this year, and while judges will still be looking for the heaviest apple, they will no longer be trying to find the tastiest.

“We will, though, be displaying the best top fruit this country is so good at growing, and showing supermarkets, consumers and the media just how tasty, nutritious and healthy our apples and pears are,” Nigel stressed.

Having sat for many years on the board of British Apples and Pears and, before that, English Apples and Pears, Nigel’s commitment to the industry is clear, and he believes that this year’s show comes at a time when UK fruit is beginning to turn a corner.

“We are seeing a shortage of European fruit coming into the country, supermarkets are looking to UK growers to fill their shelves and prices have been slowly rising,” he said. “It’s long overdue, but this year is certainly looking better than last, and I think growers may have a bit more of a smile on their face at the 2024 National Fruit Show.

“With luck they may have a bit more cash to invest in new kit, and that will help the wide range of dealers and other traders who will be at the Kent Event Centre in Detling showing off the latest equipment.”

Reflecting on the number of growers who had left the industry over the past few years, Nigel said he thought those who had “hung in there” through the bad times were “about to reap the rewards”. He added: “The National Fruit Show is there to advertise an industry that I believe will, in five or so years’ time, be as strong as it ever was.”

Nigel himself returned to the family farm, River Farm at Boughton Monchelsea, with wife Annette, in 1984. Working alongside his father John and later his son Ben, he saw the Bardsley England business grow from 120 acres to several thousand, making it one of the biggest in the UK before it was bought by Camellia in June 2021.

Another move to streamline the show has seen more volunteers brought in, cutting costs considerably while benefiting from the enthusiasm and skills on offer across the sector. Eileen Haffenden is back in her former role as show manager, while Nigel’s wife Annette, a familiar face at the show for many years, is vice-chairman and in charge of competition entries.

“After a lifetime of growing fruit and gaining so much from the industry I now have time to give something back, and with the support of many great people I am determined to see the National Fruit Show continue as the shop window of UK apples and pears,” Nigel concluded, adding: “It has to continue because it does such a vital job.”