Donated to the orchard by Barbara Spencer in 1997 this is a very early apple maturing in late July to mid August. It was introduced as Jackson’s Seedling by Mr Jackson of Blakedown Nursery in Worcestershire in 1886. However, after receiving a First Class certificate at the RHS in 1883 it was renamed Mr. Gladstone after the Prime Minister, though this has now been shortened to just Gladstone. A very sweet apple that should be eater straight away as it does not keep, becoming soft and dry. It has pale yellow green skin with a variable amount of red to brownish red flush.