In the Orchard
Workshops and talks from The Leicestershire Heritage Apple Project
We offer online talks and in person talks please see below for details.
The Leicestershire Heritage Apple project promotes, re-discovers and grows
Apples which are locally grown and completely unique to Leicestershire!
By planting these trees today we are all helping to prevent the loss of natural diversity
across the English countryside and retain a rich part of history.
Workshops & Talks
Discover more about caring for your orchard, grafting, using products from your orchard
If a course is full, please contact us if you would like to go on the waiting list.
In Person and Online talks and courses offered
In Person courses (2026)
2 1/2 hour Grafting Workshop- for individuals
Learn the basics of grafting in our two and half hour workshops generally available in February and March next courses 2026. Take home 2 trees. Cost £35 Two methods of grafting to learn, Scion supplied, choice of at least 4 cultivars. Booklet on the learning to take home. See below for courses running.
2 hour Grafting Workshop- for groups
Learn the basics of grafting in our two hour workshops available in February and March with your group. Each person takes home 2 trees Two methods of grafting to learn, Scion supplied, choice of at least 4 cultivars. Booklet on the learning to take home. Maximum of 10 participants you supply the venue.
See below for courses you can join as an individual.
Cosby 5 hour Grafting Workshop- for individuals
PLEASE EMAIL
TO BOOK FOR 2026
Five hour workshops February 2026 TBC Includes an apple tasting session. Take home 2 trees 930 for 10 am start £50 (tbc)
Talks on Leicestershire Heritage Apples
An hour long talk, followed by questions on the Leicestershire Heritage apple project. From £50 plus 45p per mile.
Pruning Course
Learn how to,prune and rejuvenate your apple tree.
During this course we look at how to establish various apple shapes and general annual pruning of trees.
Collection of scion wood of addressed. Includes our booklet on pruning methods so you don't need to try & remember it all.
Group bookings only. Please enquire for 2026 email
Talks
In person or via Zoom, hosted by our account, Zoom is free to join
Talks
Talk Leicestershire Heritage Apples
Offered online zoom meeting for your group, we have a full professional account so your members can join in free of charges £50 for the talk to groups or look out for our join as an individual on scheduled talks. Payment by Bank transfer only at this time.
Talk Cider & Cyser
An introduction to making cider and cyser (apple mead) for groups £50 or look out for our join as an individual talks. Payment by Bank transfer only at this time.
Zoom Grafting Course
Learn about grafting your own apple or pear trees . Available in February and March. Minimum 2 people per date. Course for 2 is £80 includes two rootstocks each & a selection of rare scions, (Including Leicestershire, Cider, red fleshed or Perry Pears) and grafting kit sent by post/courier. Dates by arrangement to suit you. Contact us to book a date. Single participants may be added to courses £50 if booking separately.
Grafting talk
In this talk we look at the theory behind grafting and practice on pieces of wood. It can take place at any time & will equip you to graft your own trees, but no materials are supplied. Also suitable for those outside the UK who can supply their own materials. Look out for dates here or contact us to bo0k a session. 2 hour session, with practice. £25 per person, minimum 2 per session, can be in different households, eg families, clubs, friends etc.
2022 Completed courses wite ups here
Blended courses- online & in person
Grafting a Family Apple Tree
For those who have attended one of the other grafting courses only.
A chance to graft a family tree with several scions from our collection, or ones you bring yourself. Number of graft sites will vary from tree to tree.
A family tree allows you to have several cultivars on one tree, including pears where an interscion is used.
Starting in year one you will select and plan your tree.
Cost £35
In the second year you will start grafting the tree with different cultivars. Thinking about how to balance and shape the tree.
£35
Year 3 & 4 we revisit the tree if you wish to plan its progress.
£20 per year.
Grafting a Family Apple Tree
For those who have attended one of the other grafting courses only.
A chance to graft a family tree with several scions from our collection, or ones you bring yourself. Number of graft sites will vary from tree to tree.
A family tree allows you to have several cultivars on one tree, including pears where an interscion is used.
Please bring your own knife, gloves and secateurs.
Bespoke Courses
Contact us for a bespoke course.
Apple Juicing days
A chance to make use of all those apples you grow.
Turn them into juice to pasteurise or brew
to cider or cyser. These take place in the Autumn
Brewing with Apples
Learn about brewing cider and Cyser in this talk and tasting session. From £50 plus 45p per mile.
LHAP refund policy. Course and talk bookings.
A full refund will be given if cancelled within 14 days of booking and payment, unless the 14 days falls within 4 weeks of the course or talk. After 14 days from the booking but before 4 weeks from the course or talk 50% refunded will be given. Cancellations within 4 weeks of the course or talk are non refundable, but individual bookings may swap to another date subject to availability, or sell the course to another person. Should we have a waiting list for a course we will offer a place to that person, and if we can sell your place we will refund your payment minus 25% admin fees. Group course bookings are non refundable within 4 weeks of the course. Where material have been attained for a group course after booking but prior to 4 weeks there will be an non refundable charge for all incurred expenses.
LHAP Covid policy for talks & Courses
Please do not attend if showing symptoms of Covid. Dynamic risk assessments will be in place.
Courses If Government restrictions are in place at the time of the course we will need to adhere to them. If there is a local or National Lockdown at the time of the course participants can join an online course or hold their ticket until the next physical course
Talks
Please advise us of your groups Covid policy when booking. If Government restrictions are in place at the time of the talk we will need to adhere to them. If there is a local or National Lockdown at the time of the talk we can give the talk online via zoom.
Leicestershire Heritage Apple Project
The Leicestershire Heritage Apple project promotes, re-discovers and grows Apples which are unique to Leicestershire. We have been established for over 18 years . We give talks on the project. Grafting workshops and workshops on using apples in different ways from juice to cider, and preserves to drying. We can assist in helping set up community orchards and we supply Leicestershire trees. We are a not for profit group with all profits going back into the group work and research. The talks and workshops are the main funder for the project.
Gallery
Some of our Leicestershire Apples
Testimonials
A massive thank you for asking me to be part of the trial of the online session. I found it incredibly informative and fun to do with very clear instruction. It's a delicate process but easily followed with your careful and clear direction. I am now the proud owner of a Queen Caroline and a prince Charles apple graft.
Caroline Leicestershire
I would thoroughly recommend this course. It is informative, you get to learn a skill and it is fun. Best of all after the course you have two grafted Leicestershire Heritage apples to care for and watch as they bud and grow into heritage apple trees. It is extremely satisfying and a little addictive. I will be back for more.
Nat Leicester
“Despite being an enthusiastic Master Composter, I’m mostly a low maintenance home gardener. So it was a real treat to attend such a well run and informed heritage apple grafting workshop on 25th Feb in St Hughes, Market Harborough.
Mel and Nigel were so helpful and patient with my very novice questions. The two hours were a good mix of theory and hands on with the bonus of me building two baby apple trees of my own to take away and plant out!
The event was well attended with a good mix of gardening experience and interests. It was excellent value for money .
I’m keeping a watch over my two tiny trees (Marriage Maker and Langton Nonesuch) which are in a large well drained container full of home made compost and will report back on progress to Mel and Nigel later in the year.”“
David:-Market Harborough
“ Mel's enthusiasm and ability to engage with the audience really brought Leicestershire's heritage apples to life. Few in the Wolds Historical Organisation audience had much prior knowledge of this topic, but all we came away with many insights into the history and propagation of these trees. No hesitation recommending Mel as a speaker. Indeed the WHO will be inviting her back to talk about something completely different!.”
Wolds Historical Organisation
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