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APPLE IDENTIFICATION: Where this is offered, please take three examples of each variety, with twig and leaves attached if possible, to aid identification.
Find information about orchards in your area in the Orchards Gazetteer
PODCAST on the BBC website. Sue Clifford talks to Cavan Scott about the origins of Apple Day, the importance of orchards and the connections between nature and culture www.bbccountryfile.com/podcast.asp [October]
Autumn Talks from Sue Clifford co-director of Common Ground variously concerning orchards, community orchards, Apple Day, ‘The Apple Source Book’, ‘Community Orchards Handbook’:
7 October 7.30 pm Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Sturquest AGM
9th October 7pm Kendal, Cumbria. Kirby Lecture for Friends of the Lake District [01539 720788] about Local Distinctiveness and 'England in Particular’
18 October 7pm Ansty, Dorset for ScreenBites with film - Babette’s Feast [01963 32525]
Apple Day 21 October 7pm POSTPONED>>> River Cottage Canteen, Axminster, Somerset [01297 631862] with James Crowden (Ciderland)
29 October 8pm Tring, Hertfordshire as part of Tring’s two week Apple Fayre [01442 823188]
1 November 12 -3pm Grays Cider Farm Devon for Slow Food with James Crowden (Ciderland)
16 November lunchtime Bridport Arts Festival, Dorset with James Crowden (Ciderland)
21 November evening Tilham Farm, Baltonsborough, Somerset with James Crowden (Ciderland)
ENGLAND
BEDFORDSHIRE
Saturday 18th October 2008 - The Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Beds LU1 3TQ - Apple Day. Within the Walled Garden, an exciting gala celebrating the pumpkin and the apple with entertainment for all the family. Visitors can see an A-Z of pumpkin and squash as well as a huge variety of apples on display from the East of England Orchard Project who also will be doing apple tasting and selling apple trees to celebrate British Apple Week. The Bedfordshire County Archive will be putting on an exhibition entitled Apples in the Archives. Over 20 stallholders will offer an array of pumpkins and apple related goods. Locally based foods and drinks will be available to taste and buy such as apple juice, home made preserves, chutneys, apple pastries, pies and cider. Visitors will also be able to watch local country craftsmen, beekeepers, basket makers and wood turners. The garden volunteers will sell plants and seasonal produce including apples from the Walled Garden as well as home made refreshments. Children's activities include story reading, apple printing, pumpkin decorating and a pumpkin and apple shy. The Pumpkin & Apple Gala cookbook will be on sale. 11am-3pm. Admission, adults £3, free for children under 16. Contact Charlotte Phillips, The Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Luton Beds LU1 3TQ, tel: 01582 721443; e-mail events@lhwg.org.uk or see www.lutonhoowalledgarden.org.uk
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Bromham Water Mill and Gallery, Bromham (3 miles west of Bedford signposted off the A428 Bedford-Northampton Road) - Apple Day including tasting, eating, drinking and buying local apples, apple bobbing and peeling, big food fayre with local food producers, Morris dancing, cider with CAMRA, storytelling, information about the historic mill, apple identification by East of England Apples and Orchards Project who can also help with planting & looking after fruit trees (www.applesandorchards.org.uk). 11am-4.30 pm. Admission: adults £5, concessions £3, children under 16 free when accompanied by an adult. Free parking. Contact: Ed Burnett, Beds County Council, County Hall, Cauldwell St, Bedford MK42 9AP, e-mail: ed.burnett@bedscc.gov.uk
BERKSHIRE
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX - Apple Day at MERL. Following the popularity of our first Apple Day event last year, we are running another afternoon of apple related activities. This event gives us the opportunity to show off some of the treasures in the MERL Archives and Library such as the beautiful 'Herefordshire Pomona', items from the Two Rivers Press archive and this year we hope to include a MAFF film on apple storage. You can come along and learn about the history of apple production in England, taste different varieties, buy some delicious apple products, try your hand at printing with apples, have a go at the longest peel competition and even join in the apple and spoon race! 2pm-4pm Admission free. Contact Alison Hilton, Museum of English Rural Life, 0118 378 8660 or see www.reading.ac.uk/merl
Sunday 12th October 2008 - Cross Lanes Fruit Farm, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7UW - Apple Day at this working fruit farm growing 60 varieties of old English apples, plums and pears. Display of around 50 varieties of apples grown on the farm, apple tasting, apple juice making and tasting, displays about growing apples, the industry, pests and diseases, pruning etc, beekeeping, wood turning, wild life, display of antique apple peelers and a working model, children's games, guided orchard walks at 11.00, 12.30. 2.00, 3.30pm, plus apples, pears, juice, honey and lots of apple-related produce on sale including pies, cakes, jams and jellies. 10am-5pm, admission and parking free. Contact: 0118 972 3167 or see www.crosslanesfruitfarm.co.uk
BRISTOL
See GLOUCESTERSHIRE and SOMERSET
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Saturday 4th October 2008 - Woughton Orchard, Milton Keynes - Join the Parks Trust and celebrate World Food Day with a little scrumping and appley fun at Milton Keyne's Community Orchard. Meet in the sportsfield carpark, Newport Road, off the H8 standing way. 10am-12noon, admission £2.50. Contact: Claire Lewis on 07770 324215 / 01908 255375 or see www.theparkstrust.com
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Home Cottage Farm, Bangors Road South Iver SL0 0BB - Apple day with stalls, children's activities and refreshments. 11am-4pm. Contact: appleday.iver@tiscali.co.uk
Saturday 18th October WOLVERTON, Milton Keynes, Farmers’ Market, Town Hall Car-park, corner of Creed Street and Stratford Road. 9.00am - 1.00pm. Wonderful selection of English apple varieties at the Broody Hen stall. Bring your apples along to the swaps table you could swap your "cookers" for their "desserts"! Come & make your apple tree wish on the Community Orchard’s magic tree & make crab apple critters. Contact Denise Ilett (01908) 316749 dilett@btinternet.com
Sunday 19th October. WOLVERTON, Milton Keynes The Community Orchard (behind Back-way, rear of Western Road, opposite junction of Anson Road). 2.00 - 5.00pm Games including "Pin the maggot on the Apple" & "Spot the false apple variety". quizzes and apple facts Get down low and play "Apple limbo"!Apple Tree Wishes & tree dressing.Make crab apple critters. Punch & Judy & Story telling. Stalls, National Longest Peel Competition - you can bring your own apple & peeler/knife for this, especially if you have a huge apple which will give you a head start! Apple themed food and drink served from our Victorian Railway Carriage. Please remember although this is a free event - we do appreciate some donations towards any refreshments that you take and you might like to bring along some spending money for the stalls. Contact Denise Ilett (01908) 316749 dilett@btinternet.com
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Collings Hanger Farm, Prestwood, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0HP - Apple Day with a display of many different varieties and apple identification, fruit trees for sale, apple games for the children, fruit tree planting, local apples and juice for sale, apple produce and recipe ideas. 2-4pm The organic farm is situated on the A4128, just north of High Wycombe. Contact: Virginia Deradour, tel: 01494 867234
Tuesday, 21st October - various pubs in and around Chesham including The King's Arms, The Misty Moon, the Queen's Head, The Waggon & Horses or the Wild Rover (in town) and The Black Horse (Chesham Vale) and The Crown(Ley Hilll) - are supporting Common Ground (and Camra's Cider Month) by celebrating Apple Day by promoting cider plus 'apples as ingredients' on their menus, especially pies and puddings.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Saturday 20th September 2008 - 10 am-4 pm - Willcock Farm, Rummers Lane, Wisbech St Mary, PE13 4UB. (22 acres of traditionally managed orchards. 8 acres of newly planted regional collection with 250 varieties of apples, pears, plums and cherries.) Organic apples for sale from the orchards. Orchard walks. EEAOP stand with apple identification. Apple juice from Stamford Juice Company. Apple pressing equipment and tour around apple juice factory. Admission free. Contact: David Wheatley, Stamford Juice Company: 01945 419035
Friday 17th & Saturday 18th October 2008 - Wisbech Council Chamber, Wisbech town centre, Horsefair Shopping Centre & surrounding area (selected venues) - A variety of activities and exhibitions organised over the two days. Free exhibition in the Wisbech & District Museum with photographs & artifacts relating to the history of apple picking in the local area from Saturday 11th – Tuesday 28th October. Market stall selling locally grown apples & apple pies made with locally grown apples. Free recipe leaflets. Free samples and entertainment in the Horsefair Shopping Centre (Saturday only). Locally grown apple trees for sale grown in recycled compost. Locally produced Sausage & Cider supper with guest speaker talking about an apple based subject & music (admission by ticket only – cost to be announced). Activities organised for local groups involving locally grown apples in cookery (sweet & savoury dishes), apple tree planting for local schoolchildren. Local art group walking round an old apple orchard then exhibition of their work with local craftspeople using apple wood. Apple exhibition & apple based food at Peckover House (National Trust property normal admission prices apply). Contact: 07786021949 or see www.wisard.org.uk
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Wandlebury Country Park, just 1.5 miles to the south of Cambridge (please use local bus 'citiplus 13/13A from the city of Babraham Park & Ride) as limited parking on site - Apple Day, a day to enjoy apples and pears, their fruits and nuts and woodland things. This includes apple identification, information and advice, orchard conservation, pruning demonstrations in our re-juvenated traditional orchard, produce sale, juice & mulled cider. Hands on educational activities include drawing, autumn art with local artist Chris Goodwin who will be creating, weaving and decorating a giant apple-shaped den and a maagic apple tree. Bee keeping and honey. Cooking with orchard fruits and nuts. Discover culinary delights with local cook and food historian Monica Askay. Human fruit machine. Green wood work. Meet the Rangers and Society staff. Admission £2, CPS members £1 and children free. Contact Cambridge Preservation Society, Wandlebury Ring, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge CB22 3AE, 01223 243839 e-mail ceo@cpswandlebury.org or see www.cpswandlebury.org
Friday 24th October 2008 - Huntingdon Farmers' Market - The Big Apple. An event to celebrate apple day. Press your own apple juice. Bring a container and your own apples or buy locally-grown apples to press. The Big Apple takes place at Huntingdon Farmers' Market in the Market Square. Truly local food sold by the people who produce it. A certified farmers' market with a wide variety of food from the local area, as well as locally-grown plants and cut flowers. 8am-2pm. Contact by e-mail: HuntsFarmersMkt@aol.com
Saturday 4 October 2008 - Trafford Drive Allotments Community Orchard, Timperley - Apple Day from 1-4pm (provisional times). Visit this community orchard that has 45 trees of Cheshire varieties, heritage and modern varieties. Contact Mary Eastwood on 0161 9699931.
Saturday 4th October 2008 - Brimstage Hall, Brimstage, Wirral CH63 6JA - Apple Day, 2-4pm. Taste up to 20 varieties of locally grown apples Contact: Wirral Wildlife on 0151 342 1395. or see www.wirralwildlife.co.uk
Sunday 5th October 2008 - Eastham Country Park, Ferry Road, Eastham, Wirral CH62 OBH - come and try the Longest Peel Competition or simply sample the juices. 2-4pm. Contact: Wirral Wildlife on 0151 342 1395. or see www.wirralwildlife.co.uk
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Norton Priory Walled Garden, Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn WA7 1SX - Apple Day, an afternoon of activities, traditional games, stalls, arts, crafts and plant sales with Norton Priory Museum Trust and Cheshire Landscape Trust. 12.30-4pm. Contact: Cheshire Landscape Trust on 01244 376333 or see www.nortonpriory.org
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Grounds of Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF - Apple Festival with lots of rare varieties on display, fruit garden tours throughout the day, free advice on growing fruit, apple tasting, competition for the Longest Peel, competition for the tastiest apple pie, tours of the food halls available throughout the days, recipe books available to buy including local recipes, apple recipe tasters, local cheese on sale. 10am-4pm. Free. Contact Tammy Sinden or Judith Allman at Reaseheath College on 01270 613 169/613 219 or see http://www.reaseheath.ac.uk/whatson/index.html
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Tatton Park, Knutsford WA16 6QN - celebrate the wonderful apple! Taste scrumptious varieties from Tatton's Walled Garden, join in with apple games in the orchard, learn about Tatton's special apple trees, apple goods on sale in the shops and restaurant. Contact: 01625 374400 or see www.tattonpark.org.uk
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Reddish Vale Community Garden, in Reddish Vale Country Park, Stockport, SK5 7HE (parking at end of Redish Vale Road) - Apple Day with activities including apple bobbing, longest peel competition, freshly squeezed apple juice for free. Tea and coffee available. Toilets including disabled at main car park. Garden is 5 minute walk from car park. 1pm-4pm. Contact Andrew Stewart 07530 521401
CORNWALL
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Kehelland Horticultural Centre - 4th annual Apple Day celebrating local apples, orchards and community. Camborne Community Craftroom manager Hazel McGregor will be 'flagging the event up'. She is running a workshop with the village school and the Centre trainees to create a series of six flags depicting an apple tree on its journey thrugh the four seasons, a sunset and nighttime. Kehelland is delighted to announce two special guests. Oliver Baines OBE will speak on Community Action and the Environment, in particular Transition Towns. Artist Gemma Whibley will be Artist in Resident at the Acorn in Kehelland exhibition her Cornish apple paintings and demonstrating her work. Other attractions will include Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Fox Club running apple games and the Helston Woodcraft Folk running an apple gift stall. Pemperrow Carriages will be offering rides with horse and carriage and donkey and cart. David Udy will be bringing Clyde and Ed, his Shires, to demonstrate Shire-drawn ploughing. Miniature traction engines and a man-powered carousel. The Great Western Jazz Company, thanks to the support of Camborne Town Council. Don't forget our ever-popular Aple Evening. Join in the evening celebrations from 6.30 pm with a Celidh with Poggles Wood followed by Bragatanga, an exotic mix of world folk music, eastern European Gypsy tunes and mesmerising melodies from far and distant lands. There will be a licensed bar serving up local ciders and other brews and a barbeque organised by the Kehelland Village Association. Entry to the day costs £1 for adults, children are free. The evening is a ticket only event with adults £5 and children free. Telephone 01209 718975 to book. Contact Apple Day co-ordinator Sally Pyner tel: 01209 710887.
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September 2008 - Cotehele House & Garden, St Dominic, Saltash - displays and information, walks and talks around the new and old orchards, apple recipes cooked on site, live music, our restaurant with an apple-themed menu. 11am-4pm. Admission: NT members free, adult £5.20, child £2,60. Contact Chris Groves, tel: 01579 352726 or e-mail: chris.groves@nationaltrust.org.uk or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
CUMBERLAND & WESTMORLAND
Friday 26th & Saturday 27th September 2008 - Brantwood, Coniston LA21 8AD - Apple Orienteering Trail in the grounds of Brantwood, home of Ruskin. See if you can find Old Fred and Beauty of Bath as well as many other apple varieties. Part of Flora of the Fells Festival. See www.brantwood.org.uk
Sunday 5th October 2008 - Halecat Nursery (Witherslack) - Apple Day.
Sunday 12th October 2008 - THIS EVENT CANCELLED:7.10.08: Ground waterlogged. Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill (National Trust) Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SP - Apple Day with apple surgeries and pruning demonstrations with the Northern Fruit Group. Apple identification. Apple tasting and sales. Penrith beekeepers. Westmorland Damson Association. Cookery demonstrations with John Crouch. Apple games including bobbing, bowling and the longest peel competition. Children's workshops. Local food producers market, traditional craft demonstrations and stalls. Entertainment from Punch & Judy, the Eden Valley storytellers, the Lakeland Fiddlers. Archery with the Eagle Bowmen and much more. 11am-4.30pm Admission: adult £4, child £2, family £11. Contact Sara Braithwaite, the National Trust, Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, tel: 017683 61893; e-mail: acornbank@nationaltrust.org.uk or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Beetham Nurseries, Pool Darkin Lane, Beetham LA7 7AP - Apple & Fruit Weekend. Celebrate the nation's favourite fruits. Meet Hilary Wilson 'The Apple Lady' on Sunday 19th October. Her interest in apples, which began when she was a child led her to research and source varieties suitable for the wet and cold conditions in this area, she is also an expert in the skill of grafting. Hilary will be on hand to chat and answer your questions. She particularly enjoys helping people to identify their apples. Attractions to include: wide apple tasting, competitions, special tearoom menus, expert advice on pollination, pruning, pests and diseases & tree selection, we will have many other tyes of fruit trees including peaches, pears, plums, kiwis and cherries. Contact Judith Elliott, Beetham Nurseries; tel: 015395 63630 www.beethamnurseries.co.uk
Apple juicing days in Cumbria - Prince of Wales, Foxfield (Saturday 18th October 2008); Blacksmiths Arms, Broughton Mills (Sunday 19th October 2008); Hawkshead Square in conjunction with Esthwaite Green Alliance (Sunday 19th October 2008). All events approximately 11am-3pm. Bring along your own fruit and don't forget containers for juice. Contact Dick Palmer on 01229 716724; or dick.palmer@tiscali.co.uk
DERBYSHIRE
Saturday 18th October 2008 - On the Promenade, Scarthin, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3QF - Apple Day organised by Scarthin Books in co-operation with Beanos Organic Delivery Service of Matlock Bath. Hopefully three apple presses operating and several local produce stalls. We will move to Cromford Community Centre, the Marketplace, Cromford (only 100 yards away) if the weather is very wet. Musical accompaniment as usual. For more information contact 01629 823272 or clare@scarthinbooks.com
Sunday, 19th October 2008 - Markeaton Park, Derby (opposite the children's canoeing lake at the Mundy Play Centre) DE22 4NH - Apple Day with lots of stalls, activities for children, apple pressing, refreshments. Local apples to taste and buy, cider to taste, competitions and traditional games, apple trees for sale £10, apple juicing, cakes and savouries, bookstall and crafts, Kaleidoscope Community Choir. 11am - 4pm. Contact Alison Clark, Apple Core CIC, e-mail: applecorecic@yahoo.co.uk
DEVON
Throughout October - Cider with Roadies - from the Common Players is touring Devon. For more information and the most up-to-date tour info see www.common-players.org.uk or phone Sera the Tour Administrator on 013892 881 400
Saturday 11th October 2008 - The Church Hall, Bere Ferrers on the Bere Peninsula betwen the Tamar & Tavy Rivers, Devon - 6th Bere Apple Fest including an apple advice section with identification, a pruning demonstration by Charles Stanisland within the adjacent Community Orchard or take a tour of this invigorated very old orchard which has lots of new trees, buy a toffee apple or some old fashioned sweets, allow children to participate in apple games and you in a limerick competition; enter Common Ground's Longest Peel Competition; view the world famous Bere Apple Pie Competition judged by celebrated chef Peter Gorton from the Hall of Plenty hotel; apples for sale; participate in some old rural crafts, watch a grafting demonstration, purc hase some apple and pear trees supplied by a well established local nursery, buy apple juice from local professional producer, bring your apples and see it juiced in one of two presses and take home the results in your containers, meet fellow applegrowers and chat over a cup of tea. 1.30pm-5pm. Admission free. Contact Brian Lamb, Greystone Cottage, Bere Ferrers, Devon PL20 7JX, Tel: 01822 841309
Sunday 12th October - Killerton orchards & garden, Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, EX5 3LE - Apple Day. Celebrate the English apple and enjoy the splendour of autumn colour in Killerton's garden. Apples for sale, cider making & tasting, children's activities including giant snakes & ladders to play and an orchard walk. 11am - 4.30 pm Normal admission charge apply, free to NT members. Contact Jennifer Waldren, Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, EX5 3LE, tel: 01392 881345 or e-mail: jennifer.waldren@nationaltrust.org.uk or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sunday 12th October 2008 - RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington EX38 8PH - Apple Day organised in conjunction with Thornhayes Nursery and the South West Area Fruit Group. Apple planting and cultivation, apple displays and apple tastings, cookery demonstrations with recipes to take away, cider, apple juice, trees and other apple-related products to buy, plus children's activities and trails. 10am-5pm, Admission £6 adults, £2 children. Contact: 01805 626815 or see www.rhs.org.uk
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Cockington Court & Country Park, Cockington, Torquay, TQ2 6XA - Apple Day with apple displays including a wide range of local varieties and tastings. There will be apple pressing on the Victorian press and juice available to take home for home-brew cider, There will be a West Country food marquee and crafts marquee; guided walk through the park and lakes plus music and entertainment for alll the family. Admission adults £3, children free. Contact Rachel Tapper, Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, Cockington Court, Torquay. Tel: 01803 606035. E-mail rachel.tapper@countryside-trust.org.uk or see www.countryside-trust.org.uk
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Grove Park Farm, Modbury, Devon PL21 OSX (halfway between Aveton Gifford and Modbury clearly signed just off the A379) - Apple Day charity fundraising event - 50:50 betwen Aveton Gifford pre-school new build group and the Coach House Centre in Back Street, Modbury. Apple pressing, barbeque lunch, produce stall, juice tasting, cider tasting. Other stalls include necklaces, paintings by local artists John Ashton and Les Howard, print work by Caroline Barker, engraved slate, photography, pottery, demonstrations of wood turning, basket weaving, spinning and braid weaving, pottery, competitions, folk music from about 12noon-3pm with a short break. 11am-4.30pm Admission £5, Contact AHW & JM Ponting, Grove Park Farm, Modbury; tel: 01548830341 or e-mail: jocelyn@groveparkfarm.com
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Powderham Castle, Kenton, Exeter EX6 8JL. Bring your own apples(two buckets max/person) for pressing in Pomona the apple press and take home the juice. Taste apple delights from the Vicorian Kitchen and some unusual varieties. Meet the Apple Animateur for question time for anwers and advice. Activities for the family -apple trails and activities for little ones.Included in usual castle admission. 10am - 5.30pm Pressing starts 11.00. Contact and info 01626 890243 www.powderham.co.uk
Tuesday 21st October 2008 - Thornhayes Nursery, St Andrews Wood, Dulford, Cullompton - Apple Tasting workshop. A selection of dessert and culinary varieties can be sampled and their relative merits discussed with experts. 20 places maximum, BOOKING REQUIRED. Cost £11.75. Contact: Kevin Croucher on 01884 266746 or see www.thornhayes-nursery.co.uk
Tuesday 21st October 2008 - Joshua's Harvest Store, Gosford Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1NU. Displayand tasting of apples and cider and juices. Joshua's Harvest home cooked savoury and sweet recipes with apples.
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Otterton Mill - Country Game Fair & Apple Day. An all day celebration of game and country pursuits with demonstrations of cooking, bushcraft skills, story telling and food stalls. Also apple pressing with Gordon Hill of Bowhayes Farm - bring your own apples for crushing. The restaurant and bakery will be selling seasonal fare. Free entry. Contact escape@ottertonmill.com or see www.ottertonmill.com
DORSET
Saturday 4th October 2008 - Broad Oak Community Orchard, Broad Oak, near Sturminster Newton - Apple Day 1.30-3.30pm. Apple Day in a small orchard managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust with help from the local community. Display of apple varieties. Chris Hunter will be coming along to identify apples. Stalls include Thyme after Time apple produce including pies and chutneys, Dorset Wildlife Trust sales and Common Ground books. Songs, stories and music from Nick Crump and Tim Laycock. Apple cake competition, any recipe as long as it is made with English apples. Entries in by 2pm. Cider making demonstration, bring windfalls to add to the scratcher. Tasting of last year's Apple Day cider. Apple games including juggling, bobbing, longest apple peel and apple dressing. Schools' apple painting competition. Display of Dorset Wildlife Trust Greenwood Tree Project. Leaflet detailing trees in orchard with map. Information about apples and orchards. Admission free. Free minibus from Station Yard, Sturminster Newton up to Broad Oak and back. Contact Joy Wallis, Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7AA, tel: 01305 251120, e-mail: jwallis@dorsetwildlife.co.uk
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Burton's Orchard, Shillingstone - Apple Day in this community orchard with music from Tim Laycock and advice and identification* from Chris Hunter of Kingston Maurward College, apple games and competitions, adult apple cake competition, childrens' small cake competition, pony rides, raffle, tombola, apple tree draws (£10 prize), refreshmens, craft stalls. 1pm-4pm in the orchard. Entrance £1 per adult, children free.
Saturday 18th October 11 a.m.-3.p.m. Bridport Community Orchard, The Field behind St Mary’s Church Hall, South Street, Bridport (accessed via South Street or Priory Lane). Parking available in the Football Club car park for 50p. Free entry. Apple pressing, display of apple varieties, apple identification with David Squirrell, cider, honey, chutneys for sale, refreshments, apple games, craft activities, longest peel competition, information and displays about Symondsbury Apple Project, orchard research, local cider apples, allotments and the new orchard project in Bridport. Tree care advice and orchard training information. Contact: Kim Squirrell 01308 420602 Bridport Community Orchard and Symondsbury Apple Project, 3 Duck Street Symondsbury Dorset DT6 6EZ www.appleproject.org.uk and www.treewise.org.uk
Sunday 19th October Donkey Field Community Orchard, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. 2pm-5pm. Games and Good Things.
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Kingston Maurward College, 1 mile east of Dorchester on A35 - Apple & Harvest Day. Kingston Maurward horticultural students hav researched the cultivation of a range of fruit and vegetables. Their colourful harvest will be displayed and sold at the end of the day. Farmers' Market. Competitions, prizes, plants, demonstrations, cider, fruit, cakes, jams, chutney, oils and vinegars, cheeses and more. Dorchester Community Choir, Morris Dancers from Bridport & Potty Painters! Advice and identifiction by RHS experts so bring along your unknown apples. Take part in painting pots, candle making, make your own vegetable animal. 10am-4pm. Admission adults £2, children free. Visit the gardens in beautiful autumn colours (£2 extra). Contact Ruth Whitty on 01305 215183 for more information.
Sunday 26th October and Wednesday 29th October 2008 - Mill House Cider Museum, Owermoigne, nr Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8HZ - two Cider Making Open Days in the October half term as part of Dorset Food Week. There will be traditional cider being made on antique equipment. Also home cider making demonstrations and advice. Over 30 different ciders on sale. Longest peel competition. Games, face painting, mulled cider tastings, Dorset Apple cake, etc. 10am-4pm Admission: adults £1, children free. Contact Penny Whatmoor, Mill House Cider Museum, Owermoigne, tel: 01305 852220; e-mail contact@millhousecider.com or see www.millhousecider.com
Thursday 30 October 2008 - Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester DT2 0EQ - a day of apple based activities from old favourites to something new. Juice making, art with apples, games and tastings, apple based menu available. 11am-3pm. Contact: 01300 320684 or see www.kingcombecentre.org.uk
DURHAM
Saturday 4th October 2008 - Durham Clayport Library, Millenium Place, Durham DH1 1WA - Apple Day celebrated with appletisers, sampling of old apple varieties from local orchards at Houghall, Plawsworth and Crook Hall. Longest Peel Competition. Apple identification by Mike Hirst from East Durham College, Houghall College Campus (from 11am-1pm). Display of appley books, free tasting of apple recipes with vegetarian chef Rachel Markham at 12noon. Apple advice from Edward from Low Butterby Farm who will be available to offer advice on pruning and growing apple trees from 1pm-2pm. Apples in the archives: A Gree Thought in a Green Shade. See how the growing of fruit and vegetables in the gardens of the county are reflected in the archives. Jennifer Gill, former County Archivist, 2pm (please book your place). Apple fun: children's stories, rhymes and crafts at 2.15pm Admission free. 10am-4pm Contact Anita Thompson, Millenium Place, Durham DH1 1WA, telephone 0191 386 4003 or e-mail anita.thompson@durham.gov.uk
Saturday, 11th October 2008 - Bowburn Community Centre, Durham Road, Bowburn, Co. Durham DH6 5AT - Durham Organic Gardeners' Association Apple Day - Trevor Rogers, a fruit growing consultant will be there all day to give talks and identify apples and act as a help desk for questions about growing, etc. There will be a children's story corner with apple themed stories and games. The local school children have been involved with painting competitions and the winning poster will be used for advertising. Refreshments available. 10am-4pm. Contact Audrey Harding, Secretary, Tel: 01388 606197
ESSEX
Sunday 5th October 2008 - Copped Hall, Epping CM16 5HS - learn about apples from displays and demonstrations, taste different fruits and juices and play some traditional games, refreshments, sales tables and trees to buy, learn about beekeeping and how bees pollinate orchard blossom. 11am-4pm. Entrance £3.50, children under 14 free. Contact: 01992 571657 or s ee www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Lathcoates Fruit Farm, Beehive Lane, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8LX. Farm open, 43 varieties of apple to taste, 10 varieties of apple juice, fresh local produce and a chance to talk to specialist regional food producers. Cookery Angel running cheldren's cookery sessions and artist Elaine Trilby leading fruity painting by numbers workshop to create new giant signs for Lathcoats Farm. Donkey rides (they like apples too), tractors, archery and Longest peel Competition. Hot and cold refreshments. Contact: Philip Taylor, Lathcoats Farm 01245 266691 wwweapples.co.uk
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Park Fruit Farm, Pork Lane, Great Holland, Nr Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, CO13 0ES - Apple Weekend with an apple display and tasting of around 35 varieties with a fun competition to win a tray of mixed varieties. There will also be juice making demonstrations and tasting and cake sampling of homemade cakes from the Orchard Tea Room using fruits from the orchard. Orchard tours to take place at 11 am and 2.30 pm both days. Wellies needed if wet. A mini farmers' market will be held for customers to meet some of the suppliers of produce in the farm shop. 10am - 5pm both days. Contact Steve Elsworth, tel: 01255 or e-mail: s.elsworth@farmline.com or see www.parkfruitfarm.co.uk
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 -Thames Chase Community Forest, The Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster, Essex RM14 3NS - 20 varieties of English apples and a variety of apple juices to taste and purchase. Bee keeping and products. Wild life treasure hunt in the forest. Morris dancing. Country Craft demonstrations and stalls. Contact Mary Wright 01708 642975 , mary.wright@thameschase.co.uk
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Crapes Fruit Farm, Rectory Road, Aldham, Colchester, Essex CO6 3RR - orchard with hundreds of varieties available by mail order. Take this chance to visit - display of apple varieties, chance to taste and purchase fruit in season, apples identified by expert grower Andrew Tann. 9am-5pm. Admission free. Contact Andrew Tann, Crapes Fruit Farm: 01206 212375 or e-mail: andrew.tann@virgin.net.
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Hawkwell Village Hall, Main Road, Hawkwell, Essex SS5 4EH - Apple Day will be celebrated by SE Essex Organic Gardeners with a ceilidh and local band 'Garlic Spread' with Sibby the caller. Bring your own drink. Raffle. Small display of apple varieties courtesy of Andrew Tann, Crapes Fruit Farm, Aldham, Essex. 8pm-11pm. Admision by ticket: adults £10.50; child under 14, £5 - includes ploughman's supper and a glass of apple juice (vegetarian/vegan options available by prior request). Contact Carole Shorney, Secretary, SE Essex Organic Gardeners, 19 Folly lane, Hockley, Essex SS5 4SE, tel: 01702 201914 or e-mail caroleshorney@hotmail.com or see www.seeog.org.uk
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Abbey Orchard (Lea Valley Park), Waltham Abbey, south west Essex - Apple Day from 11am-3pm.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Saturday 20th September-Saturday 8th November 2008 - Gloucester Folk Museum - 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2PG exhibition entitled "Apple of My Eye". The latest exhibition at the Museum features work by a group of artists brought together by local apple expert Martin Hayes to celebrate Gloucestershire's favourite fruit. Highlights of the display include beautiful ceramics featuring apples and pears by Viv Ayres and Anne Williams, photography and digital art by Penny Thomas and Jacqueline Sarsby, textiles by Lizzie Godden and paintings of apples through the seasons by Trina Hayes. The exhibition also features cider items the Folk Museum collections and fruit picing equipment, old and new, loaned by Hilters Fruit Farm of Oxenhall and Hayles Fruit Farm of Winchcombe. A selection of 'apple ' poems will tie in with National Poetry Day on 9th October, adding a literary note to the art works on display. Poets selected include famous local authors Laurie Lee and John Drinkwater. The exhibition provides a fascinating lead-in to the celebration of Apple Day on 25th October when the Folk Museum's annual cider making event takes place, complete with horse-powered mill, music, games, activities and fun for all the family. Throughout the following half term week (until 1st November) there will be the chance to "Scrat and Splat" - bring in your windfall apples to turn to juice in our apple press. Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-5pm. Free admission. Contact: 01452 396868
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Dyrham Park (National Trust), near Chippenham, SN14 8EA - Perry Pear Event - there is a new perry orchard which supplies a cider producer in Street, Somerset, who in return produces perry for sale in the restaurant. There is an old pear orchard, now a woodland which contains 4-year old perry pear trees. Contact: Dale Dennehy, Garden & Park Manager,: 01179372501
Saturday and Sunday 18th and 19th October 2008 - Westbury Court Garden - Apple Day - National Trust. Originally laid out between 1696 and 1705, this is the only restored Dutch water garden in the country. Visitors can explore canals, clipped hedges and working 17th century vegtable plots and discover many old varieties of fruit trees.
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Church Farm, Leonard Stanley (Near Stroud), Gloucestershire - Apple Day. This is an informal and free event so come and join in the fun of making and tasting fresh apple juice! Bring your own apples (windfalls are fine) or help with the juicing process. There will be live music and also stalls of local produce for sale - meat, vegetables and cheese, etc, and of course fresh apple juice and warm mulled juice. From 11am. Admission free. Contact Leonard Stanley food group, The Mercers House, The Street, Leonard Stanley, Gloucestershire GL10 3NR, tel: 01453 792172; e-mail: cole-newton@tiscali.co.uk or see www.leonardstanley.org.uk
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley GL14 2UB - Apple Days. Learn about the history of cider-making in the Forest of Dean. Display and information from the Gloucestershire Orchard Group. Home composting stall from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Children's activities on offer. The Dean Heritage Centre is the ideal starting point for a visit to the Forest. With five modern museum galleries set in a converted mill complete with waterwheel and a range of features such as the Victorian Foresters' Cottage, Freemine Entrance and Charcoal Burners' Camp, there is plenty here for all ages to enjoy, all set within five acres of beautiful woodland. 10am-5pm Contact Gina Mills,telephone 01594 822170 or e-mail: info@deanheritagemuseum.com or see www.deanheritagemuseum.com
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Gloucester Folk Museum, 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2PG - demonstration of a horse-powered cider mill crushing apples, followed by a huge cider press extracting the juice. Also apple games, activities, music and entertainment for all. 11am-4pm. Throughout the following half term week (until 1st November) there will be the chance to "Scrat and Splat" - bring in your windfall apples to turn to juice in our apple press. Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-5pm. Free admission. Contact: 01452 396868 .
Sunday, 26th October 2008 - Willsbridge Mill, off the A431 in Longwell Green, South Gloucestershire, 6 miles from both Bath and Bristol - Apple Day - As and Bs - Apples and Bees! Avon Wildlife Trust is holding its annual community Apple Day at its environmental education centre at Willsbridge Mill. This year devoted to celebrating but also raising awareness about the value of bees in the orchard. "Without bees there would be no apples. There is mounting concern at the recent decline in bee populations in the UK. Bees are essesntial in pollination of all our fruits. Rampaging verroa virus in honey bee colonies as well as 'colony collapse disorder' and a lack of bee-loving plants are all contributing to the threat of this invaluable invertebrate" explains Ruth Worsley, AWT Community Education Officer. "At this year's Apple Day we will be putting the bees back into apples. There will be an exhibition of 'show homes for bees' made by 32nd Kingswood Brownies using reclaimed apple timber made at a sculpture workshop prior to the event with local community artist Peter Margerum. There will be plant stalls selling bee loving plants and a chance to make bee hotels to encourage bees to your own back gardens' Ruth adds. Display of hundreds of traditional apple varieties supplied by Keith Goverd of English Quality Apple Juice, apple tasting and sales, cider stall, fruit tree sales, apple cook books, pruning demonstrations, orchard games including the apple and spoon race, apple pressing, apple fritters, chutney and preserves demonstration and the national longest peel competition. Apple Art workshops will include apple men making and apple twig sculpture. 'Apple gifting' bag printing will use woodblocks designed by Windmill Hill Woodcraft Folk Group which depict the array of orchard wildlife. 12noon-5pm Admission free, nominal charges for workshops to cover materials. Cyclists can reach the Mill using the Bristol to Bath railway path, alighting at Avon Valley Railways' Bitton Station and following A431 a short way towards Bristol. Ring Traveline 0870 6083608 for up to date bus and train times. Nearest train station, Keynsham, 1 mile. Visitors with a disability are welcome to park adjacent to the Mill, please follow the 'disabled' signs off A431 on Willsbridge Hill. Contact Ruth Worsley, Community Education Officer, Willsbridge Mill, Willsbridge Hill, South Gloucestershire BS30 6EX; telephone 0117 932 6885 or e-mail ruthworsley@aconwildlifetrust.org.uk or see www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
www.orchard-group.org.uk/glos has sent the following information for Gloucestershire - an astonishing array of events large and small. hurrah for GOG
Saturday 27 September 2008. Community Farm Open Day, Grimsbury Farm, Grimbsy Road, Kingswood. 10am-4pm Cider & perry pressing with locally grown apples and pears. Watch BTCV demonstrating a pole lathe and see how native trees are grown at the Tree Life Centre for planting around the county. Fleeces turned into yarn, farm animals, South Gloucestershire food. 01454 865877.
Saturday 27 & 26 September 2008 Daylesford Organics, Daylesford, Nr. Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG. Apple weekend to celebrate our British apple with complimentary tastings or selected varieties and apple treats. Details can be found at www.daylesfordorganic.com 01608 731700
Sunday 28 September 2008 Friends of Naunton Park Apple event, Cheltenham Meyrick Brentnall 01242 581314.
Sunday 5 October 2008 Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire BS36 1SE.Their third Orchard Harvest Day. This family-friendly event is part of the South Gloucestershire Council Local Food Fortnight and an opportunity to see the historic Barn and learn of its aspirations in local rural regeneration. Graham White (aka Mr. Fruit), 07894165026 mrfruit@btinternet.com
Sunday 5 October 2008 Horsley Orchard Project are having an apple pressing day from 10am - 4pm, at Otter Cottage in Downend, Horsley. If anyone would like to bring along any spare produce to press and share, we would love to see you. If you don't have produce, we'd love to see you anyway! We hope to be able to provide music, soup, and cake for sustenance. If you can bring along a small chopping board and knife, that would be a great help. Please contact Liz Lancashire on 01453 834672 for any further information.
Saturday 11 October 2008 Riddle’s Cider, Oak Farm, Oldbury Lane, Thornbury Cider Making Tour – booking required. 11am and 2pm. Take a tour of the cider orchard and learn to identify varieties of apples such as Yarlington Mills and Sheep’s Nose. See the cider making process using a 100 year old cider press. Tours last approx. 1½ hours. Maximum 30 people on each tour. To book please call 01454 863592/07877 413298
Sunday 12 October 2008 Our Small Farm, Huntingford House, Swinhay, Lane, Huntingford, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 8EX Small Orchard Open Day 12noon – 5pm. Enjoy your own picnic in this traditional Gloucestershire orchard and understand the history and composition of the orchard and something too of the management plan. There’s an opportunity to purchase some home-made juice, chutneys and jams. Teas, coffees, toasted teacakes, cream teas and apple juice will also be available. Disabled access is not easy due to the sloping, uneven land needed to cross in order to enter the orchard. Children are welcome. Admission is free, but a donation to Operation Agri (a charity supporting agriculture in countries such as India) would be welcome. 01453 845212.
Sunday 12 October 2008 Redwick House, near Magor. NP26 3DY (Less than 10 mins from junction 23A of M4) 2-4.30pm Explore 1-acre old orchard, in need of restoration Taste and buy apples (cooking and eating). Drink and eat tea and apple cake. Buy home-made jams All proceeds to Natalya's Fund - for the benefit of underprivileged children and young people. For more details, phone 01633 889028 Chris and Andrew Leighton leighton.archives@virgin.net
Thursday 16 October 2008 Thornbury Farmers Market Apple Day 9am - 1pm. A wide variety of apples of all shapes and sizes and of many varieties will be on display, with the chance to taste them. Jean Grudgings 01454 417321 jeangrudgings@hotmail.com
Friday 17 October 2008 Gloucester Farmers Market, The Cross, Gloucester. In addition to the normal Friday farmers’ market, there will be an apple display and apple pressing. Thanks to Gerb & Clare Gerbrands, Meyrick Brentnall & Elaine Shears. See www.fresh-n-local.co.uk
Saturday 18 October 2008 Stroud Farmers Market. 9am - 2pm With a special exhibition from Days Cottage (GOG chairman Dave Kaspar & Helen Brent-Smith) of 50 varieties of traditional Gloucestershire apples to see, feel, smell and taste. Bring along your windfalls and a bottle to make juice in our mini-apple press. Learn all about local apple varieties and have free tasters of freshly pressed apple juice. Dave may be able to identify your fruit, if time.
Saturday 18 October 2008 Stroud Valleys Project Apple Day.Come along and celebrate our apple heritage at Holywell Orchard in Cam. 1pm - 4pm Did your know that over 6,000 different varieties of apple used to be grown in the UK, and that Stroud and Dursley have their own type of apple? We will have an apple press on site juicing some of the apples from Holywell Orchard, and you can bring your own apples (and plastic bottles) to make your own juice
Free event, donations always appreciated.www.stroudvalleysproject.org 01453 753358 Ivi Szaboova at SVP
Saturday 18 October 2008 Leonard Stanley Apple Day at Church Farm. This is an informal and free event so come and join in the fun of making and tasting fresh apple juice! Bring your own apples (fallers are fine) or help with the juicing process. There will be live music, a pig roast and stalls of local produce for sale – meat, vegetables and cheese etc and of course fresh apple juice. For more information, or if you have apples you would like to donate, please contact David Newton on 01453 792172 david@andrewtownsend.co.uk
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October 2008 Snowshill Manor Apple Day (National Trust). 11am - 5.30pmboth days.There will be tasting, juicing, apples to buy, children’s apple trails, apple-related food in the restaurant, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Composting Team, Walcot Organic Nursery fruit trees, possibly apple identifying and a display of Gloucestershire varieties. Linda Roberts, 01386 842810 or 01386 842814
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2008 Highfield Nurseries, Whitminster Apple Weekend. We have had many requests to plant up a fruit garden to display as many of the tree shapes and rootstocks as possible to show just how easy it is to fit fruit trees into even the smallest space. We have done this in previous years and is very popular as visitors can see just how easy it is to grow fruit at home. All our Fruit Experts will be on hand both days to give detailed advice on planting and growing fruit of all types. We will have several competitions ongoing over the weekend: 'Pumpkin Carving for Children' and 'Name that Apple' . Our restaurant, as always, will be offering a wide range of home cooked food, once again with an 'Apple' theme. We are planning food tasting of items that can be purchased in our Food Hall which are all from local suppliers. 01452 741444/740266.
Sunday 19 October 2008. Oxenhall Apple event in the Parish Hall. Light refreshments all day; soup lunch, apple tea, apple sales – locally grown apples, apple juice, displays of apples including Gloucestershire & national varieties, Gloucestershire Orchard Group, display of wildlife in orchards, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, local history display, poultry park – collection of rare breeds of hens, poultry, arks and equipment for sale. Elaine Shears 01452 790259.
Sunday 19 October 2008. Horfield Organic Community Orchard, Bristol 2-4pm. Find out about the orchard, how to grow healthy organic fruit, taste many of our different varieties, apple juice and other products on sale, wander & wonder at our 100 trees, displays from other orchards, apple trees on sale.Entry via lane opposite 23 Kings Drive, Bishopston. Donations on gate, £1-£2, Children welcome, but must be supervised.NO DOGS For further info 0117 924 8124 Pauline Markovits pauline.markovits@blueyonder.co.uk
Sunday 19 October 2008. Thingwall Park Organic Orchard, Bristol. Apple Day 2-4pm. Apple games & tasting. Please telephone for directions – the orchard is on allotments and is normally locked. All welcome. Ring Charles Farina 0117 9655553 or Irene Blessitt 0117 9658429.
Monday 20 October to Sunday 2 November 2008. Painswick Rococo Garden Harvest Festival 11am-5pm seven days a week during this period. Whilst we display the harvested produce from the Kitchen Garden with details of their history and use, during the last week of October our Harvest Festival gets into full swing. Try out recipes, enter competitions, see a display of apples and even get a chance to produce your own juice (apple & pear juicing). The Bothy is turned into an oasis of fruit and vegetables. Food/fruits from around the world, children’s activities, scarecrow competition, guess the weight of the pumpkin, potato display. www.rococogarden.org.uk painsgard@aol.com 01452 813204 Chris Hitchcock, Head Gardener.
Tuesday 21 October 2008. Corse and Staunton School Apple Festival. Village show with competitive events. The school’s orchard of Gloucestershire varieties is now well established. Keith Turner keith@redhouse.ip.uk.com or ring Sue Giles, Deputy Head 01452 840240.
Wednesday 22 October 2008. Bristol Farmers Market Apple Day. With Dave Kaspar & Helen Brent-Smith of Days Cottage Apple Juice/Gloucestershire Orchard Group. Gloucestershire apple displays, juicing, tastings. Dave may be able to identify your apples, informally.
Saturday 25 October 2008. Gloucester Folk Museum, 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 11am-4pm Demonstration of a horse-powered cider mill crushing apples, followed by a huge cider press extracting the juice. Also apple games, activities, music and entertainment for all. Contact: 01452 396868/Chris Jones is coordinating the event. GOG committee member Martin Hayes will be there.
Saturday 25 October 2008. Horton Village Hall, Horton, Chipping Sodbury, South Glos., BS37 6QP (10 minutes north of junction 18 of the M4 and about 15 minutes SE of junction 14 of the M5) .12 – 4.30pm. Apple Day in aid of a school in Uganda. A display of apple varieties and tasting. Mr Fruit from Coalpit Heath will do some identifying. There will be ploughman's lunch (booked in advance) stalls, an apple cake competition, apple pressing and juice making, apple games and twig sculptures, longest peel competition and displays about encouraging wild life. Jenny Llewllyn 01454 318442. Two and a half miles east of Chipping Sodbury.
HAMPSHIRE & THE ISLE OF WIGHT
Sunday 12th October 2008 - Blackmoor Farm Shop, Blackmoor Estate, GU33 6BS - Blackmoor Estate's long running Apple Tasting Day will be back for the 39th year. This hugely popular free local event is an opportunity for fruit enthusiasts to taste a wide variety of the old and new apple and pear varieties grown at Blackmoor. Apple 'doctors' will be on hand to identify mystery apples and apple ailments. We will be giving nursery tours and as usual there will be a range of other attractions including rural craft fair and demonstrations; community fete; local produce stalls;horse and cart rides, cakes and teas, Morris dancing and Blackmoor cider. See www.blackmoorestate.co.uk
Friday 17th October 2008 - Downton Country Market, Memorial Hall, The Borough, Downton, Nr Salisbury - Apple Day celebrations with an apple identification morning. A local expert will be on hand to identify and answer any queries. Bring apple samples. Everyone welcome. Visit the "Harvest Home" market at the same time. There will be a display of apples and tasters. Cookery books on cooking, various kinds of fruit will be available for sale. Local honey. Home made cakes and pies, jams, jellies and marmalades. Fresh local vegetables, organic eggs, local crafts, plants and cut flowers. Coffee from 9an, 9.45am-11am. (Downton, a picturesque villge, is on the edge of the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, off the A338, approximately 7 miles from Salisbury. It is on the edge of the New Forest.
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Durley Memorial Hall, Durley - Apple Day with lots of apple varieties for sale form Fruitwise, plus stalls, refreshments and entertainment. The village hall is halfway between the Denhams corner roundabout (a mile south of Fair Oak) and the Robin Hood pub. 10.30am-3pm. See www.fruitwise.net
Tuesday 21st October 2008 - Family Trees, Sandy Lane, Shedfield - Display of around 30 varieties of apple, all for sale. Walk around the nursery and see the trees and sweet clover green manure growing 7ft high. 9.30am-12.30, free admission. Family Trees is off the A334 between Botley and Wick Farm. A catalogue including a map will be sent free if you leave your address on answer machine. Contact: 01329 834812
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Durleighmarsh Farm Shop, Durleighmarsh Farm, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 5AX - Apple Day celebrations with apple tasting of local varieties, free apple recipes, apple bobbing (all proceeds to BLISS charity for premature babies). 9am-5.30 pm. Free admission. Contact Alison Grange on 01730 821626
HEREFORDSHIRE
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September - National Vine Collection and Herefordshire Apples on show and for tasting at Ewyas Harold - Details from Brian Edwards, tel: 01981 240256.
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September - Berrington Hall (National Trust), near Leominster HR6 0DW - Apple Day. 120 varieties of apple in display. Apple identification, craft and food displays. Cider making demonstration. Sunday only - falconry display. Apple dishes in the tearoom. Garden tours and advice on pruning. Children's trail and activities. Contact: 01568 615721 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Thursday 2nd October 2008 - Trumpet Ploughing Match & West of England Fruit Show, Burley Gate (where A465 Hereford-Bromyard Road crosses the A417 Leominster-Ledbury road . Details from Mrs Eversham, tel: 01531 890447.
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12 October 2008 - Parishes along the Marcle Ridge near Much Marcle - The Big Apple, "every year since 1989, the award-winning communities of these tiny parishes have put together a collection of small rural events based in and around Much Marcle, to enable you to share with us in our tradition of apple growing and cider making" with events across the Marcle Ridge including Westons Cider, Lyne Downe Cider, and Hellen's House. Fruit displays including cider and perry fruit, tastings, identification*, apple juices and apples for sale, talks, demonstrations and much more. Contact: 01531 670544 or see www.bigapple.org.uk
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Lion Ballroom, Broad Street, Leominster - Leominster Apple Fair. Contact: 01568 780886
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Leominster Apple Fair at Lion Ballroom, Broadstreet - IDs from 2pm. Details from Felicity Norman, tel: 01584 831650.
HERTFORDSHIRE
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October 2008 - Tewin Orchard, 1 Upper Green, Tewin, Welwyn AL6 0LX - Apple Day in this 76 year old English fruit orchard standing in about 4 ha (10 acres) of fields and woodland in the centre of Hertfordshire. 10am-4pm. Contact: or see www.tewinorchard.co.uk
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Codicote Community Orchard - Apple Day celebrations. Off Bury Lane Codicote. 11am-4pm. Contact creaseys@btinternet.com
Sunday 12th October 2008 - St Albans Farmers' Market - Apple Day celebrations. Market Place, St Peters Street, St Albans. 10am-3pm
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Church House, Church Street, Sawbridgeworth CM21 - apple display, tasting and sale of River's Orchard organic apples. Apple juice for sale, cards and bookmarks, archive material about the River's Nursery Orchard project. 1.30-4pm, free admission. Contact: Hazel Mead on 01279 724503 or see www.riversnurseryorchard.org.uk
Wednesday 15th October to Sunday 2nd November 2008 - Tring's Own Apple Fayre - the initiative of Tring Environmental Forum supported by Hertfordshire Orchards Initiative. For further information on any event please call Martin Hicks on 01442 823 188 (evening) or 01992 556 158 (day). Events include: Wednesday 15th October-Friday 31st October - Victoria Hall, Akeman Street - Orchard Magic. Grove & Goldfield Schools Art Club Exhibition to celebrate fruit and orchards. Saturday 18th October-Saturday 25th October - Tring's Own Apple-ation Trail - many of Tring's shops have prepared special window displays to show our heritage of orchards. Sunday 19th October - Jeacock's Orchard, Dunsley Bungalow - Open Day. Visit Tring's historic orchard saved for posterity. Bring your apples for identification by expert Michael Clark (am) country craft demonstrations. Wednesday 29th October at 8pm - Red Cross Hall, Tring - APPLES, ORCHARDS AND ENGLAND IN PARTICULAR - A TALK BY SUE CLIFFORD, DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF COMMON GROUND. Common Ground is the organisation that put orchards on the map; first establishing Apple Day in 1990 and producing many key orchard related books since. Admission for adults is £7.50; U18 £4. To book call Martin Hicks on 01442 823188. Sales in aid of Common Ground. Thursday, 30th October 2008 - Tring Park - An Apple A Day Health Walk. Join one of the special programme of Dacorum Health Walks aimed at keeping you fit in mind and body - about 3 miles. Meet outside Tring Zoological Museum at 9.50 am. Bring Waterproofs. For more information contact www.hertsdirect.org/healthwalks or ring Countryside Management Service on 01727 848168. Sunday 2nd November - meet at Wyevale Garden Centre, Bulbourne HP23 5HF - Another Apple, Another Day Health Walk. 1,50pm for a slightly longer Health Walk of about 4 miles. Do you know where the former Farmers Weekly pick your own apple orchard is? Find out and discover the countryside in the Bulbourne Valley as it cuts through the Chilterns. Bring waterproofs. For more information contacat Countryside Management Service 01727 848168. Sunday 26th October - St Peter's and St Paul's Church, High Street, Tring - Comfort me with Apples church service and Apple Peal. Celebrate the apple harvest with a special choral evensong service (6.30 pm) beginning with a unique peal of bells by Tring bellringers (5.15 pm) and a selection of poetry readings. Apple juice refeshments available. Saturday 18th October -Sunday 2nd November 2008 - P E Mead & Sons, Farm Shop, Wilstone, HP23 4NT - Apple Workshop. Bring your own apples for pressing into juice, purchase local produce or sample the seasonal fruity specials menu at the Farm Shop Tea Room. Juicing and pasteurisation from £1.40 per bottle. Please call Nigel on 01442 825110 to arrange a convenient time for juicing. For more details about the farm shop ring 01442 828478.
Saturday 11th October 2008 - St Elizabeths Centre, Much Hadham, east Hertfordshire - Apple Day from 11am-3pm.
Saturday 25 October 10am-2pm - Old Market Place, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1DT (town square) apple and pear tasting … advice and identification … home-made apple tarts and cakes … local apples & apple juice for sale … recipes … children’s activities … local food and information stalls: pickles and preserves, honey, goat’s cheese, organic veg boxes, Friends of the Earth, recycling info, info on local community garden, nature reserve and care farm. Contact :: Vicky Wyer 01462 621585 Hitchin Community Gardens, 23 Priory Way, Hitchin, SG4 9BJ triangle.garden@ntlworld.com www.trianglegarden.org
Wednesday 29th October at 8pm - Red Cross Hall, Tring - APPLES, ORCHARDS AND ENGLAND IN PARTICULAR - A TALK BY SUE CLIFFORD, DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF COMMON GROUND. Common Ground is the organisation that put orchards on the map; first establishing Apple Day in 1990 and producing many key orchard related books since. Admission for adults is £7.50; U18 £4. To book call Martin Hicks on 01442 823188. Sales in aid of Common Ground.
KENT
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Brogdale Collections, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ - Apple Day at the home of the National Fruit Collection which has over 2,300 varieties of apple. Taste varieties and apple produce, buy lots of different varieties, visit the orchards, hear stories about the history of the Collection and its trees from the Orchard Tour guides, discover local Kent crafts and talk to craftsmen, learn about seasonal cooking, take home recipes, tractor rides through the orchards, home-made tea in the Orchard Tearoom, live music and children's activities. 10am-5pm Admission £6 adults, children £3. Contact: 01795 536250 or see www.brogdalecollections.co.uk
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October 2008 - Perry Court Farm, Bitting, Ashford Kent (on A28 Canterbury Road above Wye, off M20 at J10, follow signs to Canterbury - Apple Day celebrated by a display of the 120 varieties grown at Perry Court with tastings of fruit and apple juice. Vintage ploughing. Country craft display. Apple pie competition. 19am-5pm Admission £2 to local hospice. Contact Fermer at Perry Court, as above, 01233 812408
LANCASHIRE (including Manchester)
Saturday 4th October 2008 - Market Square, Lancaster & Fairfield Community Orchard, Lancaster - Events in Market Square (10.00-2.00): Apple pressing – bring your windfalls, Apple juice for sale, plus honey, chutneys, apple trees and other local produce, Apple identification* and advice by Phil Rainford (Northern Fruit Group) between 10 and 12noon, Try creating a super long apple peel. Events in Fairfield Orchard (12.30 – 5.00): 12.30 Rustic lunch platter with local cheeses, chutney, bread and either cider or apple juice [NEW] £6/£4, Lots of games including William Tell, apple bobbing, snap apple, longest peel, Guided wildlife walk around the orchard. at 3.30pm Tea and apple cakes will be served (cake donations very welcome). All proceeds will go towards upkeep of the orchard. Free admission. 10am-2pm in the Market Square, Lancaster, and 12.30-5.00 at Fairfield Community Orchard, Lancaster. Contact: 01524 542742 or see www.fairfieldassociation.org
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Ashton Hall Nursery, Lancaster - Apple Day.
Saturday 18th October 2008 - St Mary's Church of England Primary School, The Green, Eccleston, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5TE (in the centre of the village next to the Methodist church, parking on adjoining streets only) - celebration of English apples, display of local apples, identification of varieties, advice on culture, trees for sale, afternoon tea or apple juice with home baked apple cakes, children baking session, free recipes, chutneys, longest peel competition, paint a salt dough appple to take home, make and fly a kite, see the Apple Den and the illustrations for the planned Eccleston Apple Recipe Book created by pupils. Entertainment by Eccleston children and Heritage Clog dancers. Copies of the Eccleston Apple Blossoms book which researched the orchards which flourished in this micro-climate until the 50s. Our experts are still hoping to find some more of the lost Lancashire varieties. Admission free. Contact: Joyce Morris, telephone 01257 452059; e-mail hawk4@talktalk.net
Sunday 19th October 2008 - The Parrswood Rural Studies Centre (Parrswood High School), Parrswood, Didsbury, South Manchester (next to Travelodge, Bellhouse & The Stables off the A34 and opposite Didsbury East Railway Station) - Apple Day with apple tasting, apples for sale, display of old and new varieties of apple, apple products, apple juice pressing, apple pies, apple bobbing (with prizes), pruning demonstrations, tour of the orchards, learning old and new varieties, other stalls and light refreshments, tours of the centre and gardens, plant sales. 1pm-4pm. Contact Geoff Bridson 01614451090
LEICESTERSHIRE
October (Date tba) - Franklin Park Community Orchard, Leicester - a mini Apple Day event at this community orchard. Contact: the Town Council on 0116 2899 270.
LINCOLNSHIRE
Sunday 28th September 2008 - Normanby Hall - Apple Day.
Sunday 5th October 2008 - Wragby Town Hall, Louth Road, Wragby, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire - Apple Day with 150 apples on display courtesy of the east of England apples and Orchards Project including Lincolnshire varieties. Apple identification identification available by EVEAOP experts. Sample different types of apple. Apple juicing demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Have your own apples juiced, quantities up to 10kg will be juiced with no charge (if own containers are supplied). Logo produce stall and organic gardening advice. Display by local beekeepers. Home made organic refreshments.
Sunday 28th September 2008 - Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, Hampstead, London NW3 6SP - Apple Day in this National Trust 17th century house and garden with orchard. Apple tastings & sales, apple doctor, bee keeping demo, cakes and preserves for sale, cookery demo, longest peel competition, apple juice tasting and sales, pruning/grafting class, childrens' art activities. 11 am-4.30 pm. Admission £2 adults, free under 16. Contact: The National Trust, Fenton House, Windmill Hill, London NW3 6RT; 020 7435 3471; e-mail: fentonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk or seewww.nationaltrust.org.uk
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9NH - Apple Day with cafe selling homebaked cakes, jams and preserves, talk about history of apples, 15 different apples on display, 3 varieties of apple for sale, apple juicing, children's apple games, apple tasting, local honey for sale, apple trees for sale. 11am-4pm. Admission £1. Contact East London Organic Gardeners, 19 Avon Road, Walthamstow, London E17 3RB, tel: 0208521 440 or e-mail: adrian.stannard@btinternet.com. www.elog.org.uk
Sunday 12th October 2008 - Roots & Shoots (vocational training & environmental charity), Walnut Tree Walk, Lambeth, London SE11 6DN - Apple Day. Display of up to 100 varieties from the Brogdale collections, exhibition on history of apples, apple tasting, apple games, peeling competition, roots & Shoots 'Orchard Bounty' juice for sale. Storytelling. The wildlife garden with bee hives. Music & building the giant corn queene with ' The Lions Part'. Refreshments, BBQ. Producers and makers market (fruit & veg, other food, jewellery, gift), honey stall. Admission adults £1, children free. Contact David Perkins, Roots & Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, Lambeth, London SE11 6DN, tel: 020 7587 1131 or see www.rootsandshoots.org.uk
October - Moti Mahal, 45 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AA a chic Indian restaurant in Covent Garden, London. To celebrate this year's apple season and Apple Day the restaurant has introduced a range of ten apple chutneys, all made using English apples, including apples picked from Moti Mahal’s Head Chef, Ani Arora, own garden. The 10 chutneys will be served on a platter along with Tandoori Breads, for only £9.50 per serving, including for example : Chef’s Own Garden Apple Chutney infused with garam masala and jaggery; Bleinham Orange Apple Chutney with mint and caraway seed; Charles Ross Apple Chutney with cinnamon and honey; Egremont Russet Apple Chutney with Caol Ila 12 years old and lemon zest; Spartan Apple Chutney with raisin and ‘old monk’ rum; Kidd’s Orange Red Apple Chutney with cranberry and ginger; Cox Apple Chutney with ginger;Crispin Apple Chutney with mustard seed and chilli. To complement the apple chutneys, Moti Mahal is also launching a new menu of five apple ciders from New Forest Cider including : Traditional Farmhouse Cider; Kingston Black Cider Vintage; Cidre Bouche, Normandy style cider. Tel: 020 7240 9329 ?www.motimahal-uk.com
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London E1 5AR - Apple Day, fun and learning for young and old. British varieties of apple and other local produce to try and to buy, apple trees and apple food for sale, apple games, apple bobbing, a big ol' jumble sale, storytelling, the longest peel competition, apple arts and crafts, a fun apple trail and much, much more. There will also be some educational workshops by Organic Lea on their Scrumping Project and Grow Sheffield on their Abundance Project, on how to make use of the apples growing in your area. Information will be available on why you should buy local, how to measure and how to decrease your carbon footprint and helpt to slow down climate change. 11am-4pm Free admission. Contact Naomi, tel: 020 7247 8762, e-mail littlespitz@spitalfieldscityfarm.org or see www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org
Sunday 19th October 2008 - The Woodlands Farm Trust, 331 Shooters Hill, Welling (LB Greenwich) DA16 3RP - A celebration of the apple harvest, there will be apples, vegetables and meat for sale as well as apple pressing on the Victorian apple press (bring your own apples if you have a bumper crop), face painting, craft activities,local beekeepers on hand with a display hive and honey for sale, a cafe selling a variety of homemade cakes, soup and hotdogs and a range of stalls. fun day out for all the family! Admission free. Contact: Hilary Eastwood, the Woodlands Farm Trust, tel: 02083198900 e:mail: woodlandsft@aol.com or see www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org
Sunday 26th October 2008 - Bankside, outside Shakespeare's Globe - October Plenty, a collective celebration of the seasons, weather and food, in a public place with access to everyone. This year October Plenty will be a part of Borough Market's Apple Day celebrations with Southwark Cathedral. The programme includes the huge Corn Queene effigy heavy with 'Plenty' - wheat barley and other grains as well as apples, root vegetables and foliage from the Borough Market - in a procession around the front of the Globe, Bankside with the company of actors and the time-honoured Hobby Horse in attendance strung with cakes and loaves and led by the Berry Man. The Berry Man is the autumn incarnation of the original Green Man, decked with wild fruit and foliage. He leads the company. He carries an apple tree to where it will be placed within the Bankside area with general songs and music on the street for all. The procession then moves through the streets to the Borough Market where there will be time to savour the delights on offer: soul cakes, apple biscuits, conker fights, cider from the New Forest, apple bobbing, a great beer selection and wonderful market stalls as well as dancing. This year the company will perform two of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. There is a tasting table of old apple types from London by Brogdale Horticultural Trust with decorations created at Roots and Shoots, the Lambeth community gardens environment project where the Corn Queene is created. The Story Orchard is a glade of young English apple trees creating a space for children to gather. There they can re-clothe the trees with green wishes (paper apples) and listen to stories with apples, markets, harvest time and London sparrows. From 12 noon onwards. Contact by e-mail: admin@thelionspart.co.uk
NORFOLK
Sunday 5th October 2008 - North Walsham Garden Centre, Norwich Road, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0DR - Apple Day celebrating the 100th birthday of the local apple "The Norfolk Royal". Display of apple varieties, identification of apple varieties, advice on growing fruit trees, sales of container trees and orders taken for bare-foot trees, apple tasting and sales of local fruit and other produce (Apple & Pear People, Hoveton). Stalls and childrens' activities. 10 am -4pm. Free admission. Contact Graham McDonald, North Walsham Garden Centre.
Sunday 12th October 2008 - Banham Barrel, Kenninghall - Apple Day organised by the Kenninghall Lands Trust with all the usual fun and games, apple identification*, cider tasting and much more. See www.kenninghall-landstrust.org.uk
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Whin Hill Traditional Cyder Works, Wells-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk - Apple Day from 10am-4pm
Sunday 26th October 2008 - Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, NR20 4DR - Apple Day. Longest apple peel competition, apple identification - East of England Apple and Orchards Project; dancing with the Ouse Washes Molly Dancers. Wassailing. Learn about the Green Man. Tree dressing activities. Crafts and local produce. Display of apple varieties. Buy apple and pear trees. Enjoy the 50 acres of the Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse site, woodland playground and museum entry included. Admission is adults £7.90; concessions £6.70; children 4-16 years £5.60, under 4s free. Contact Alison Tebbit, Events Co-Ordinator at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, tel: 01362 869259
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Saturday, 27th September 2008 - Marquee at The Red Lion Public House, Warmington, Northants - A small event with a display of apple varieties, starting with a photographic record of varieties grown locally for our own reference collection, longest peel competition, apple pressing and juice tasting, guided walk around Warmington Orchard Pocket Park, request for information about local traditional orchards, possible apple identification, named apple varieties welcome (at least 5) for reference collection. Refreshments in The Red Lion. Contact: Judy Stroud 01832 280837 or 01733 455244 (Monday to Wednesday)
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th October 2008 - Sulgrave Manor, Manor Road, Sulgrave, Nr. Banbury OX17 2SD - Over 350 varieties of English apples to view. Free apple identification. Watch our own orchard's apples being pressed and try the juice. Rural crafts, hurdle, chair, besom broom, cane & rush seating craftsmen, thatcher, basket maker, rope walk. Crafts, fruit trees, plants, apples and cider for sale. Husky dogs, alpacas, Punch & Judy, Green Man, music and fun and children's activities. Refreshments and cider bar. 11:00 a.m. to last entry 4:00 p.m. Contact: 01295 760205 or see www.sulgravemanor.org.uk
Sunday 12th October 2008 - Wilson's Orchard, Northampton (from Billing Road East turn into Bouganvillia Drive then into Magnolia Close. The orchard is at the bottom of the close - a unique community orchard with over 180 100-old Bramleys) - Apple Day with apple juicing, with visitors helping to juice apples. Apple tasting with a display of different varieties. Tours of the orchard stopping at our bee hive. Childrens' area where apple related games will be played. Orchard produce and fruit and vegetables from other South Court Environmental sites for sale. Displays of information about orchards and apples. 2pm-5pm. Admission free but donations would be welcome. Contact Peter Holder, SCE, 34 Bostock Avenue, Northampton; tel: 01604 630719 or e-mail nalder.southcourt@tiscali.co.uk or see www.scenorthampton.org.uk
Tuesday, October 21 2008 - Whitton Locks Garden Store, Daventry, NN11 2NH - Apple Day. Free talk and advice on apples by Adrian Weaver. 2.30 pm. Free admission. Contact Adrian Weaver, tel: 01327 843100 or see www.thegardenstore.ltd.uk
Tuesday, 21st October 2008 - The DNA Sculpture, Abington Street, Northamton - Apple bobbing and free handing out of apples to advertise Halloween Choice and the Children's Society. 10.30am-11am Admission free. Contact Rona Orme, Children's Missioner, Diocese of Peterborough, Bouverie Court, 6 The Lakes, Bedford Road, Northampton NN4 7YD, tel: 01604 887045; e-mail: rona.orme@peterborough-diocese.org.uk
NORTHUMBERLAND
Saturday 4th October 2008 - Wark Town Hall, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland - Apple Day. Come and explore the world of apples in Northumberland. Trevor Rogers of the Northern Fruit Group will help you identify your unknown varieties (please bring three fruits with stalks if possible; small charge). There will be about 100 varieties on show and you can taste a wide selection. Try our great apple cakes and teas. There will be children's activities and you'll have a chance to make an apple out of felt or have a go at pressing apples for juice. We will also continue to create a map of what apple and pear varieties grow in the Tyne Valley. 10.30 am-4pm. Admission £1. Contact Wark Town Hall, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland, tel: 01388 528801 or e-mail p.samson@virgin.net
Wednesday 22nd October 2008 - The Garden Station, Langley on Tyne, Hexham NE47 5LA - Crunch Day for Apples with Simon Cross - a course for rediscovering apple varieties in all their versatility and nurturing your apple trees to get the best form them. Contact: 01434 684391 or see www.thegardenstation.co.uk
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Sunday 5th October 2008 - East Markham Village hall and Hempsall's Heritage Orchard, Top Cart gaps off Lincoln Road, East Markham, Newark Notts NG22 0SS (A57 Lincoln road from Markham Moor Roundabout) - Apple Day celebrations. Village hall: variety of actrivities including apple crumble competition, apple bobbing, apple display, cider bar, fresh apple juice, art and craft stalls. Local history display entertainment. Recipe book and tasting. Catering including hot port sandwiches. Special children's competition. Hampsall's Heritage Orchard (Premier Award winner 2008 RHS Harrogate Autumn Flower Show). Apple identification 10.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm. Apple tasting and selling and Pick Your Own. Heritage Orchard open for PYO and ready picked every Sunday in October from 12th. Some trees for sale. 10am-4pm
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Walled Kitchen Garden, Clumber Park, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 3AZ - Apple Day celebrations. Display of apple carieties, tasting and orchard produce for sale. Family walled kitchen garden tracker pack with activities. Produce for sale - vegetables, dishes for sampling. Contact Clumber Park/National Trust, Estate Office, Clumber Park, Worksop or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sunday 19th October 2008 - St Anns Community Orchard on the historic St Anns allotments (entrance via gate on Ransom Road just opposite Hillview Community Centre) - Apple Day with loads of apple varieties to taste, do-it-yourself fresh apple juicing, appley food, apple games, appley arts for kids of all ages. There will be visual display of the work of St Anns Community Orchard including work with local schools. Admission free. Contact St Anns Community Orchard, Unit 3 John Folman Centre, Hungerhill Road, St Anns, Nottingham NG3 4NB, tel: 0115 9110207
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Cool Temperate Nursery, c/o Trinity Farm, Awsworth Lane, Cossall NG16 2RZ - sale of fruit trees and bushes. Cool Temperate Nursery trees include apple trees grown on on their own roots. 10am-4pm, free admission. Contact: Phil Corbett on 0115 916 2673 or see www.cooltemperate.co.uk
Sunday 26th October 2008 - Lowdham Village Hall, Lowdham, 8m north of Nottingham - Mouth watering displays of numerous varieties of apples and other fruit, Home made jams and chutneys for sale, Apple Tasting and competitions, Associated craft and produce stalls, Apple Identification* and Advice Panel (if you do not know the variety of your tree bring along two apples for us to identify), Refreshments available all afternoon, Auction of produce at the end of the show. Event runs from 12 noon. See www.lowdhamhortsoc.org.uk
OXFORDSHIRE
Saturday 20 September 2008 - Greys Court National Trust, Henley on Thames - A special afternoon of pruning workshops, gardener's advice on old varieties, cooking demonstrations and tastings. Activities for all the family to share together. Contact: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sunday 5th October 2008 - Hilltop Road, entrance of Warneford Meadow, Next to Jack Howarth House, East Oxford, Ox4 1PH - Display of apples, apple picking in one and a half acre traditional orchard, juicing and tasting, games, orchard walk, music and stalls, cakes, honey. 12 noon till 4ish. 1pm Morris dancing. 2.30pm Orchard tour. Free. Contact Friends of Warneford Meadow, 100 Southfield Road, Oxford, OX4 1PA or see www.friendsofwarnefordmeadow.org.uk
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th October 2008 - Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley OX33 1JZ - See and taste up to 50 different varieties of apple and get your mystery crops identified* by our experts. There'll also be tours of the orchards, a country crafts and food fair in the plant centre, special apple-themed meals in the Pear Tree Teashop and information and advice about growing fruit in your garden. Entrance fee applies for visits to the ornamental garden only. 10am-4.30pm. Contact: 01844 339254 or see www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th October 2008 - Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Witney - A celebration of the English apple, Tasting from old fashioned traditional varieties grown in the orchard, apple recipes cooked on the range, apple bobbing, longest peel competition. 11am-5pm. Contact: 01993 772602 or see www.cogges.org
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Q Gardens Farm Shop, Milton Hill, Steventon, OX13 6AB - Apple Weekend to celebrate this quintessential English fruit. There will be a wide range of Q's own apples on sale, tasting of their own apple juice, Q's own apple pies on special offer, colouring competition for children, delicious warm apple turnovers and lots more apple related products. Activities are free. The shop is open Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday from 9am-5pm. For more information contact Jane on 01235 820988,e-mail info@qgardensfarmshop.co.uk or see www.qgardensfarmshop.co.uk
Sunday 26 October 2008 - Northmoor Trust , Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, Near Abingdon - Apple Day Scrumping. Scrump in the orchards, make a bird feeder, test your knowledge in apple mania quizzes. Taste the delights of delicious apple juice and fresh pressed cider. Activities are individually priced. 10am-5pm. Contact: 01865 407792, admin[at]northmoortrust.co.uk or see www.northmoortrust.co.uk
SHROPSHIRE
Sunday 5th October 2008 - Madeley Park, off Legges Way, Madeley, Telford TF7 5AH - Madeley Green Day with apple pressing, fruit tasting and visits to the narby Madeley Community Orchard. Loads of interesting and fun events to include a new show from Bees and Trees - a team of Five Mice. Make your own bird boxes with Glen Bishton. Kids area to include a crockery smashing stall - Dawley Horticultural Society. Falconry demonstrated by Mike Thomas. Heavy horse demonstration and mobile sawmill in operation. Hands on Willow Maze Dressing plus other events and stalls. 1pm-4pm Admission free. Contact Glenys Evans, Project Manager, Madeley Community Orchard, Jubilee House, 74 High Street, Madeley, Telford TF7 5AH Tel: 01952 567286 or e-mail: glenys.orchard@yahoo.com
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Greenwood Centre, Station Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DR - Apple Day with a beautifully restored traditional twin-screw apple press as a centrepiece. The press dates from the mid-19th century and was restored by the Shropshire Apple Trust who are organising the event. WI Market stall, cider bar with Shropshire Apple Trust's own cider for sale, live music, Morris dancing, craft work, hands on polelathing and use of shave horses, pottery throwing, apple bobbing, children's apple presses, archery, basketmaking, local wines from Wroxeter Roman Vineyard, Severn Gorge Countryside Trust's Woodland Management work in the Ironbridge Gorge,.10.30am-5pm Admission adults £3, senior citizens £2, children free. Contact Michael Pooley: 01952 433632 or see www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Sylvestor Horne Institute, High Street, Church Stretton - Church Stretton Apple Fair with a display of apple varieties, tastings, apple identifier Mike Porter also cheese stall, cake stall, orchard produce sale, honey, pressing, juice making, children's corner. Longest peel competition. Tree sales and display by local tree group with advice on planting apple trees and other fruit. 11am-4pm Admission £2. Contact: John Lloyd, Rock Cottage, Shrewsbury Road, All Stretton, SY6 6HH, tel: 01694 723143
Sunday 28th September 2008 - Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton TA2 8LG - the best in local cheese, chutney and cider as part of The Somerset Cheese, Chutney & Cider Fair. Music from Scrumpy & Western band the Manglewurzels at 11am, 12.15pm and 2.30pm. Cider from Rich's and Burrow Hill plus juice and apples from Charlton Orchards.
Sunday 28th September 2008 - The Mandeville Arms, High Street, Hardington Mandeville BA22 9PQ - The Mandeville Apple Fayre and Seafood Festival. Devoted to local foods, there will be a range of seafood with cookery demonstrations and a showcase for all things appley: food, ciders, apple juices, etc. 11am-5pm. Contact: tel: 01935 862 418
Saturday 4th October 2008 - The Orchard, Broadmoor Lane, Bath - Apple Day. Help harvst some apples, use the apple press to make your own juice, take part in the 'longest peel' and apple bobbing competitions, share recipes - bring along your own apple produce. 2pm-5pm. See Bath Organic Group's website: www.bathorganicgroup.org.uk
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th October 2008 - Sanders Garden World, Bristol Road, Brent Knoll, Nr. Highbridge TA9 4HJ - Apple & Cider Forgotten Fruits Weekend including free advice on how to select, grow and care for medlars, quince, red & white currants and other fruits. It includes Apple Day with varieties on display, many to taste and buy and lots of free expert advice. Contact 01278 761111 or see www.sandersgardenworld.co.uk
Saturday, 18th & Sunday 19th October 2008 - Somerset Rural Life Museum, Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DB - Cider-Making Weekend. Traditional cider making in the Abbey Barn using a vintage mill and press and apples from the museum's own orchard. With special event: 18th 2.30-4pm Cooking with Apples, Zaida Haworth will demonstrate using old-fashioned apple recipes in the Victorian Kitchen; 19th 2-5pm Cider Commentary, learn about orchard management and cider making with local expert Les Davis MBE; 18th Oct-1st Nov, visit the tea room. Sit in the original dairy of Abbey Farm to sample delicious food made from locally grown ingredients. Apple juice and apple cake made from fruit grown in Somerset's Community Orchards and produced by Somerset Work Preparation Services will be available during the Food & Drink Festival. Opening hours: 1st Nov until 31st Mar: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm; 1st Apr until 31st Oct, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm Sat & Sun 2pm-6pm. Admission free. Contact Somerset Rural Life Museum: 01458 831197 or see www.somerset.gov.uk/museums
Sunday, 19th October - Orchard at Quiet Corner Farm, off Oak Vale Lane, Henstridge BA8 0RA - Apple Day with guided walks in the orchard which contains mostly traditional apple trees and other fruit varieties including plums, Denniston's Superb, Coe's Golden and the Merryweather Demson. There will be apple tasting, a display of varieties, stalls, produce for sale, apple pies, apple pressing and apple games including the Longest Peel Competition. Competitions for best apple cake and best apple tart. Sale of honey and beeswax products. Flying fish in orchard by Peter Thompson. All day demonstration of dry stone walling by Bill Moore of Shaftesbury. Noon-5pm. Admission £1 per car. Contact Patricia Thompson in advance on 01963 363045
Sunday 19th October 2008 - Horfield Organic Community Orchard on allotment land access on foot/cycle via lane opposite 23 Kings Drive Bishopston, North Bristol BS7 - Apple Day, over 100 trees, local apple juice and other produce on sale, apple trees (dwarfing) on sale, variety tasting, information & stalls from other North Bristol orchard groups. 2-4pm Children must be supervised. No dogs. Bus 20 from City Centre, By car off kellaway Avenue from A38. Contact tel: 0117 924 8124, pauline.markovits@blueyonder.co.uk
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Broadlands OrchardShare, Broadlands Orchard (on the A4Box Road, half a mile east of the Bathford roundabout) - Apple Day.
Saturday 18th October 2008 - Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, Somerset BA11 2HG - Apple Day Craft Fair. This is a fundraising event for the Merlin Theatre and replaces their usual Christmas Craft Fair. The main event will be the craft stalls but there will also be pre-loved clothing, tea and cakes, mulled cider, Leonardo's Bicycle (singers) and for the children, Merlin the Wizard in his cave (lucky dip), face painting, craft corner, apple stories and a tombola. The Frome Apple project (part of Sustainable Frome) will be available to answer any apple r