It's happening people. The Great Northern Fruit Moot ticketing is live and we're so looking forward to welcoming you to Birch Community Centre, Manchester on Friday 14th February 2025. See more details in the about section and book early! P...
Now in its third year, the Great Northern Fruit Moot is an annual event dedicated to bringing together fruit growers, particularly those from Northern England, for a day of learning, networking, and the exchange of fruit tree scions. This grassroots, participant-driven event features workshops on various topics such as pruning, UK rootstock production, and fruit-based livelihoods. It provides a fantastic platform for individuals involved in the fruit-growing industry to share insights, innovations, and practical tips in an informal, collaborative setting.
We welcome all fruit enthusiasts, from at-home growers to community orchardists, with a special focus on those whose livelihoods are dedicated to orchards and fruitful spaces.
First held in Bradford in 2023, the event quickly gained popularity, expanding in 2024 to Todmorden, home of the Incredible Edible movement, which emphasizes community and sustainability. This year, attendees can expect talks, workshops, a possible cider tasting and our all-important scion swap - our essential activity for those preparing to graft new varieties of fruit trees in 2025.
The 2025 event will be hosted in Manchester at the Birch Community Centre, featuring discussions on various fruit-growing techniques and information on government grants and subsidies. The event is affordable, with everyone – including the organizers – paying a small £15 fee. This helps maintain the grassroots and community-oriented vibes and also covers our hyper-local lunch and refreshments.
If you're interested in fruit growing or want to connect with others in the field… or orchard, this annual event is the place to be!
Introducing Our First Speaker: Lawrence Weston
We’re thrilled to announce Lawrence Weston as our first confirmed speaker for the 2025 Great Northern Fruit Moot! Lawrence will take us on a fascinating journey through the wild fruit forests of Central Asia, sharing insights from his recent research trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Speaker Profile: Lawrence Weston As an experienced fruit researcher and passionate advocate for the conservation of wild fruit species, Lawrence recently returned from a research trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. He has firsthand experience with the last remaining wild populations of apple (Malus), plum (Prunus), and walnut (Juglans) – vital species in the ongoing battle for biodiversity and food security. His work focuses on the Tien Shan mountains in eastern Kazakhstan, home to the last wild apple forests, an area of immense ecological and agricultural importance.
These genetically diverse populations are critical for understanding the domestication of top fruit through ancient trade routes like the Silk Road and for addressing the modern challenges of in-situ conservation. Lawrence's deep involvement in field research and his eye-opening journey across Central Asia provide him with unique insights into the genetic reservoirs preserved in these wild fruit forests and the complexities of protecting them in a rapidly changing world.
Talk: The Wild Fruit Forests of Central Asia: Insights from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan In this captivating talk, Lawrence Weston will share his research and discoveries from a recent expedition to the Tien Shan mountains, where some of the last wild apple forests in the world are guarded and preserved. These forests hold immense genetic diversity, which may play a crucial role in future food security.
Lawrence will delve into:
The history of fruit domestication along the Silk Road.
The unique ecological value of wild Malus, Prunus, and Juglans species.
The ongoing challenges of conserving these species in their natural habitats.
The session will include a 45-minute presentation, with interactive Q&A throughout, offering an engaging and informative look at a fascinating region and its fruit biodiversity. Note: Lawrence will also participate in the final plenary session as part of a panel of expert speakers.
Call for speakers, workshop hosts & stallholders: Join the 2025 Great Northern Fruit Moot!
We’re excited to invite you to be a part of the 2025 Great Northern Fruit Moot! Whether you’re a fruit grower, researcher, maker, or enthusiast, we welcome you to share your expertise and wares. You can do this through a talk, workshop, or semina – or by showcasing your products with a stall at the event.
How to Get Involved:
Talks/Workshops: Submit a 100-200 word description of your proposed session, along with a headshot and an “at-work” photo and any supplementary materials. Send to: [email protected]
Stalls: If you’d like to set up a stall and sell wares, from fruit-based products to tools or crafts, please include a brief overview of your products and any display needs.
Send submissions to [email protected] by December 1st. You really will be helping to make this year’s event engaging and inspiring!
Getting to the 2025 Great Northern Fruit Moot at Birch Community Centre, Manchester
From the North:
Train: Take a train to Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria station. See below for bus routes.
Bus 41 and 43: These buses run from Manchester city centre (Piccadilly Gardens) and stop at Platt Lane just after the famous Curry Mile, which is just a 5-minute walk to the venue.
Cycling: Cycling is highly encouraged! There are bike racks available at the Centre.
From the South:
Train: Travel to Manchester Oxford Road station, then take bus 41 or 43 from the nearby bus stops. The journey to Platt Lane bus stop is about 15 minutes.
Nearest Train Station:
The most convenient local train station is Manchester Oxford Road or from Piccadilly or Victoria you can walk to Piccadilly Gardens, which connects easily to bus routes 41, 42, 42A, 43, 142 or 143 Other local train stations that may be on your route are: Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2DS which is about a 30 min walk or 15 minute cycle.
Walking Distance:
From Platt Lane bus stop, Birch Community Centre is just a 5-minute walk. Simply head west on Platt Lane and follow signs for the Centre.
Parking:
Please note that parking at the venue is limited and reserved for volunteers and speakers. However, there is on-street parking nearby. We kindly ask guests to park with respect to the neighbours.
Alternatively, you can consider ride-sharing to reduce the event's environmental footprint. We will post details of how to share your spare seats if traveling by car nearer the time.
By walking, cycling, and using public transport, you’ll help make the Fruit Moot a greener event!
