Apple Day 2016
Saturday October 8th 2016
Report by Adrienne
Apple Day 2016 |
The weather started a little overcast but by midday people and their families were arriving in large numbers to help pick the apples. As in previous years helpers were able to read about the history of the orchard, taste some of the orchard's fruit before deciding on which fruits to pick and take home and taste some freshly pressed apple juice. The Sawbridgeworth Scouts spent the day on site and were a tremendous help with picking a vast quantity of the apples and once again took charge of our fruit press for our fresh juice supplies. Peter Laws from the Fruit ID project of the East of England Apples and Orchard Project joined us again and advised people on identification of their unknown fruits. We were also delighted that Sawbridgeworth Honey set up a stall selling their local produce and had a rewarding day.
Under the guidance and hard work of the Sawbridgeworth Town Council in the guise of Richard, Joanne and Steve and our dedicated volunteers (Rob, Eugene, Dave, Hazel, Adrienne, Barrie, Eric, Ruth, Elisabeth, Geoff, Nickie, Keith, Robinne, Dean, Michael and Elizabeth) the 'event' happened. From preparing the site before hand, collating the fruit stock on the trees, setting up of gazebos, manning the refreshment stall, labelling crates and buckets and organising the pickers, collecting and storing the apples, transporting the crop to the bus, delivering to the Apple Juicers and then collecting and storing the bottles. Thank you for all that hard work!.
Although the variety and quantity of apples in the orchard as a whole was by no means as good as 2015 we, with the aid of the public, were able to pick a record amount of fruit and consequently a record number of bottles (973). Public support is of major importance to the success of the day and to our juice stocks. Juice sales being an important source of income for the Group. Well done to you All!
Apple Day 2016 |
If you are interested in helping the Group on a more regular basis please come along to one of our monthly days. These take place on the first Sunday of the month. In Dec, Feb and Mar we will be focusing on pruning the apple trees. No Jan maintenance day. This month is reserved for Wassail on Saturday January 14th.
Juice Sales
Varieties on sale are Laxton, Bramley/Cox, and a large quantity of Mixed Juice.
Price: £3.00 a bottle or 2 bottles for £5.00.
Juice can be purchased at Full of Beans in Church Street, Sawbridgeworth. For large orders please email us.
Juice will be available to purchase at the Sawbridgeworth Lights Switch On event on Sat 26th Nov at two venues – outside Full of Beans and inside the Memorial Hall.
More pictures from the day can be found in the Events gallery.
A report about Apple Day 2015 can be found here.