SIXTY YEARS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19989, 4 November 1927, Page 9

SIXTY YEARS

KEEPER OF THE VINE INTERESTING SPOTS IN LONDON. Situated in one of the most picturesque spots in Windsor Great Park is the King’s Vine, which is considered one of the finest in Europe. The vinery is in a little hollow between Cumberland Lodge and the Royal Schools, surrounded by ancient oaks, fir trees and bracken. No motorcars are allowed on the road proceeding to it, but horse carts are permitted and? may be hired at Windsor by visitors who wish to see the vine, whicn is open for public inspection. A Daily Mail reporter, who visited the vinery, was met at the gate by the vine-keeper, Mr G. Styles, who has been for over 60 years in royal service, and has passed his eightieth birthday. Tons of Grapes. Mr Styles, for the past 30 years has been the Keeper of the King’s Vine, and in that time he has cut 20 bunches, about 60,0001 b. of grapes. He has now been relieved of the task of personally tending the vine. Ho takes a great pride in the vine from which at present hang 1,200 bunches of black Hamburg grapes. Mr Styles pointed out that the giant is still growing. “As you see,” he said, “young shoots are growing out of the old stem, and the vine is in a wonderfully healthy condition. It has to be carefully tended, all the year round, and the vinery is kept at a certain temperature. “The grapes will bo ready for cutting in a week or so’s time. The bunches average about 41b. or 51b., but we ‘have known them to turn the scale at 61b.” A number of the bunches are sent for the King’s table, but a great many go to hospitals and St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blinded Soldiers.