OUR Cumbrian summer has been one of sunshine and showers so far but has done no harm to the apples growing in the Grange Community Orchard.

A plaque in the grounds notes: “There is a history of orchards in Grange bit many have been lost over the years.

“The Ordnance Survey map of 1851 shows an orchard at Yewbarrow Paddock but in 1871 the estate was split up and sold by auction.

“The existing orchard was cleared to make way for the shops and cafes on what is now Yewbarrow Terrace.

“In 1998 a community orchard was planted as a joint project between South Lakeland District Council and Grange Town Council on land at Yewbarrow which had been left to the townspeople by Colonel Porritt, the last owner of Yewbarrow Lodge.”

Among the historic apple varieties in the Grange orchard is Keswin Codlin and Duke of Devonshire.

The Keswick Codlin is a cooking apple which was found growing on a rubbish heap at Gleaston Castle and propagated by John Sandler, a Keswick nurseryman, in the 1790s.

Desert apple Duke of Devonshire was raised in 1835 at Holker Hall by Mr Wilson the head gardener to the Duke of Devonshire – after whom it was named.