Commerce: Dartington Orchards Ltd

DATE: 1905-1974

LEVEL: SubFonds

Records, mainly generated by department manager, Roger Morel, and later by staff and officers of Dartington Orchards Ltd. Records include correspondence, progress reports and minutes of the cider making and fruit juice department from its early beginnings in 1928 until its liquidation in 1957. Papers also relate to: Marley Fruit Farm, managed by Roger Morel, personnel, awards, financial accounts, and trademarks. Other correspondents include: W K Slater; Fred A Wadhams; Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; Raymond Bush; associated organisations and distributors. There are also some legal papers and publications.

The general purpose of the cider factory created at Shinner's Bridge in 1928 was to maintain and develop estate orchards on a commercial basis. Managed by Roger Morel who established a number of plantations; and was responsible for the packing, grading and storage of market apples and fruit.

The Orchards department was a department of Dartington Hall Ltd and was enrolled as an authorised maker of cider by the Ministry in 1931. The Devon Farmers Cider Growers Association Ltd operated a National Mark to serve as an official label on every bottle and cask. Dartington's cider gained a good reputation and won prizes at agricultural shows. The department was also responsible for flower production.

Roger Morel pioneered the production of apple juice in the UK. He visited factories and research stations abroad, and experiments in apple juice production commenced at Dartington in 1935. Three high pressure storage tanks were installed in 1936: the first in Britain. By 1938, although the apple juice was gaining a good reputation, the financial situation of the company was in crisis, and discussions took place about the future of the Ciderhouse.

Marley Farm was purchased in 1934 for the purpose of establishing a fruit farm with Roger Morel in sole charge. New buildings there included cottages designed by Dartington architect, Robert Hening. Although professional advice was sought, the conditions at the farm proved to be unsuitable for fruit farming and the venture was discontinued in 1947. Morel, who had purchased a farm at Bulkamore, ceased his position as supervisor of Marley Farm in 1944.

Dartington Orchards Ltd was incorporated in Sep 1941 with capital divided between Dartington Hall Ltd and L Garvin & Co Ltd. The new company was responsible for the manufacture of cider and fruit juices at Dartington, but not for distribution and sales, which was divided between the two shareholders. The first Directors were W K Slater, H L A Garvin and Fred A Wadhams, with H C Struckman as Secretary. L Garvin and Co of Isleworth took over the distribution of Dartington cider in 1944.

The company was liquidated in 1957.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847200
yvonne.widger@dartington.org

This information is copyright The Dartington Hall Trust