Eric Freeman hoped to save the Gloucestershire of old
The champion of wassailing and saviour of rare breeds died on October 29th, aged 91
If you have ever longed to make your own cider, Eric Freeman would soon show you how. First, find the right apples: not from the supermarket, but Taynton Codlins or Pedington Brandys or Foxwhelps from stooped and lichened trees in half-forgotten orchards in Gloucestershire. Some of those are best eaten straight from the tree; others are keepers; but the rest, the windfalls, just let pile up in the grass. No matter if mice get at them, or the flesh goes brown. The cider will ferment better for this bit of neglect.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “The comfort of apples”
Obituary December 23rd 2023
From the December 23rd 2023 edition
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