Apple variety Reverend W Wilks
We only have one tree of this, planted experimentally as we are trying to get away from Bramley as the only cooking apple. We picked them last week (young tree, only about 25 fruits weighing 4 kilos) and sold out yesterday at Winchester farmer's market. It would probably be better flavour if left a few more weeks, but bear in mind due to our southerly location and light sandy soil our fruit ripens early. We know our customers and many prefer sharper apples.
Reverend W Wilkes was raised from a cross betwen Ribston Pippin and Peasgood's Nonsuch (we grow both of them, videos later) and first recorded in 1904. It was named after the vicar of Shirley in Surrey, who was secretary of the RHS from 1888-1919. Said to have good disease resistance but tends to biennial cropping. Crops heavily with large fruits.