A Partnership Bearing Fruit
Members of staff from Rounton Coffee and the North York Moors Trust at the planting site, March 2025. © North York Moors Trust
A new heritage orchard has been established in the North York Moors National Park, thanks to a collaboration between the North York Moors Trust and Rounton Coffee.
This initiative, which forms part of a partnership between both organisations, aims to enhance biodiversity and celebrate local agricultural heritage and connect people with nature.
This Spring, as part of this partnership, Rounton Coffee joined the North York Moors Trust to plant fruit tree varieties native to the North York Moors and North Yorkshire, sustaining rare and traditional varieties.
These included the Hunt House Apple from Goathland, Yorkshire Greening Apple, Ribston Pippin Apple, and Ryedale Bullace - species carefully selected for their resilience to local climate and soil conditions, as well as their historical and cultural significance.
As the orchard develops over the coming years, it will become a haven for biodiversity, providing valuable habitat for wildlife and pollinators while also storing carbon and improving soil health. The orchard will also preserve local fruit varieties for future generations to enjoy - celebrating local agricultural heritage and connecting people with both nature and shared history.
The Hunt House Apple holds a particularly fascinating history. Orchards in the North York Moors once supplied long-keeping apples to ships departing from Whitby, including the HMS Endeavour on Captain James Cook’s historic voyages. The Hunt House Apple was among those chosen to accompany Cook who earned a reputation for his crew’s health, particularly their lack of scurvy, with Hunt House Apple playing a role in this.
The trees were sustainably sourced from RV Rogers, a local grower in Pickering known for cultivating traditional fruit trees using time-honoured techniques.
The planting took place at Low Horcum Farmstead, along the popular Hole of Horcum Trail in the surrounding Tabular Hills, North York Moors National Park. Walkers exploring the area will now see the newly planted orchard, and as it grows, will be able to pick fruit in late summer and early autumn.
Rounton Coffee staff planting apple trees at Low Horcum Farmstead, March 2025. © North York Moors Trust
The North York Moors Trust’s partnership with Rounton Coffee is built on shared values, aiming to create a healthier and more sustainable future for both people and the planet. Rounton Coffee, recognised for its commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmental stewardship, actively supports conservation projects through its membership of 1% for the Planet - donating 1% of annual sales to nature restoration initiatives and partnerships.
David Beattie, Founder of Rounton Coffee Roasters, said:
“At Rounton Coffee, we donate a minimum of 1% of our turnover to environmental charities, because we believe business should support the people and places that sustain us. Partnering with the North York Moors Trust to create this orchard is a natural extension of that commitment – investing in biodiversity, celebrating our roots, and giving back to the landscape we call home”
James Metcalfe, Executive Director of the North York Moors Trust, said:
“This project is a perfect example of how partnerships between ourselves and local business can bring real benefits to nature and people. By establishing this orchard, we’re not only supporting biodiversity but also helping to connect people with nature and heritage. It’s a fantastic collaboration, and we were delighted to work with Rounton Coffee to make it happen.”
Ends.
Coverage:
New Coffee Partnership Bears Fruit - Business Daily - 28/04/2025