On Saturday 18th February 2011 we gathered a fair crowd of over 50 people for our first event for Herefordshire Year in the Orchard.  Some 436 years previously, almost to the day, a massive landslip occurred on the nearby Marcle Ridge. 60,000 cubic metres of soil, rock, trees and livestock moved down the steep slope of the ridge, demolishing Kinnaston Chapel, leaving a deep and wide chasm, and creating an unusual lumpy landmass, that was duly named “The Wonder”.

435 years later we named our unique Dessert Pear Ice-wine after this local landmark!

Our Event

Once everyone was assembled and ready to venture forth on our walk, Norman Stanier introduced everyone to the Once Upon A Tree team, and then to our guest speaker local Geologist, Nic Howes.

Nic gave a short talk and description of the geology of the ridge, and the mechanics of how the slip occurred, including an explanation of the accounts that saw “her low parts [the landslip] mounted to a hill of 12 fathoms” – not what you would expect from a landslide!

The walk, led by Norman, started from Putley Village Hall, walking through local farmland and orchards, passing the parish church, Putley Court, and onto Fortnams Orchard (one of the oldest family fruit farms in the area, and where many of the pears were sourced for “The Wonder”), Then onto the Wonder itself, where the party divided taking in the walk over “Tumpy ground” and the base of the landslip, or around the top of the landslip to see the remains of the chasm created when the land moved. At hall end farm we saw what was suspected to be some of the quoins – cornerstones – that were taken from the remains of the chapel when the farm was being built. We returned to the hall via fields of sheep and lambs, and over small streams and muddy tracks & past the old mill.

At the hall, several bottles of “The Wonder” were opened and shared, along with pear juice for the younger members of the audience, and Simon Day revealed some of the secrets of its production!

Many of the visitors then retired to Dragon Orchard, where they enjoyed further tastings of cider an perry, and a chance to stock up on a few bottles!

Despite the dim, damp cloudy weather, everyone really enjoyed the event, locals who were surprised to learn more about what is on their doorstep, and visitors to the area, who enjoyed the wonderful scenery and flavours that were on offer.

We look forward to seeing some of the same faces at our next Herefordshire Year in the Orchard event on the 12^th March – “History of Orcharding in Putley” led by Norman Stanier.

For other events, see our events page, or have a look at yearintheorchard.org.