IP2 - Troll Bridge
The picnic area at Yellands has had a chequered past. At some time it has been the rubbish tip for citizens of Pool. It is also associated with a local man, Mr. Peck, who had a small holding here that was covered in old equipment. Some locals still refer to it as ‘Peck’s Island’.
Today the area is grassed, with occasional hawthorn and sycamore trees. The beck to the east has copper beech, elder, wild cherry, ash and alder trees growing alongside. Across the beck is the Millennium Tree. This is a mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) donated by Dr John Metcalfe. The beck is crossed by the Troll Bridge. Trolls feature in Norse mythology, and later folklore from the Scandinavian countries, as supernatural beings with a human form.
They obviously still feature in the human imagination, as the bridge has been named after a troll by local pupils. However, no children have been approached by a troll here (to the best of our knowledge).
In the spring of 2021 a community orchard was planted here. Anyone is free to pick the fruit, although they should not be greedy and leave some for others. The trees planted are Yorkshire apple varieties, or other varieties that are unusual. In the initial planting they included:
Brownlee’s Russet
An intensely flavoured dessert apple that was popular in Victorian times. Despite its name, it was actually raised by a William Brownlee in Hertfordshire around 1848. Pick in November.
Dog’s Snout
A rare, dual purpose (dessert and cooking) variety originating in Yorkshire before 1875. Pick in September.
Fillingham Pippin
A crisp, sharp dessert apple originating in Yorkshire in the 1850s. Said to be raised by a carter in Swanland (near Hull) from seed or cuttings sent by his brother from South America. Pick in October.
Grandpa Buxton
A Yorkshire cooking apple, originating from Copt Hewick (near Ripon) in the 1990s. Pick in October.
Hunt House
A dessert apple named after Hunthouse (near Goatland), said to have been grown in the Whitby area and taken by Captain Cook on his voyages, to combat scurvy in the crew. Pick in October
Ribston Pippin
A dessert apple said to contain the most vitamin C of all apple varieties. Originated from Ribston Hall, near Knaresborough, and is sometimes called ‘Glory of York’. Probably the parent of Cox’s Orange Pippin. Pick in October.
Wolf River
A dual purpose (dessert and cooking) apple from Wisconsin USA in 1875, originating from a farm along the Wolf River. Pick in September.