We kicked off our 2020 programme with a winter pruning workshop at two neighbouring locations in Curthwaite, between Wigton and Carlisle. This was a joint meeting of NCOG and the Cumbria Organic Gardeners and Farmers group.

We started at Beech House where Chris Braithwaite gave a short talk over coffee (and cake) in the barn prior to letting us loose on trees. At Beech House there are some small, old rejuvenated apple trees, a large quince and two (not very) wall-trained pears. At nearby East Curthwaite Farm the highlights are a very large Cox's, a large Bramley and a cordon hedge.

Hopefully, by the end of our efforts, the trees were looking a lot neater and will be more fruitful and healthy and those attending felt more confident in tackling their own trees.

Our thanks to our hosts James and Kim Stockdale at Beech House and Joyce Cowen at East Curthwaite Farm, and to Jane Maggs for organising it.

Chris has produced some helpful notes, which are available on this news page or in the Resources section.

Report by Mark Evens; Sunday, 19 January 2020