Apples galore celebrated in Denmead
An apple a day… you know the rest! The king of classic English fruits is being celebrated in the beautiful village of Denmead on Saturday 21 October, at the fourth annual Apple Day.
From 10am until 3pm, the village centre will play host to a festival of all things related to the apple.
Apples are in abundance at this time of year and often given away to friends and family. The idea to hold a festival and share the crop with everyone in the village has developed into a popular annual community event.
An array of local produce will be available for sale, and local organisers are putting on a baking competition, skittle games, apple bobbing, an apple-themed barbeque, and they’ll be serving plenty of cider too. You will also get the chance to make your own apple juice using a traditional press.
Winchester City Council’s market towns support officer Katherine Lemon is helping to organise the event along with village groups such as Denmead in Bloom, which was set up in 2000 by volunteers who look after planters and flowerbeds in the village centre, and a special play area made out of woven willow tree branches.
Deputy Leader Cllr Rob Humby will be there to talk to residents and get involved in sampling local produce. He said:
I am delighted to be in Denmead this weekend to help celebrate Apple Day with local residents. Everyone is always so enthusiastic about this festival – it’s a lovely occasion and raises the profile of our delicious local produce.
This year’s Apple Day is once again being sponsored by Southern Co-operative, which has a successful track record of engaging with the community and stocking locally sourced fresh produce.
Opening the event this year will be Denmead parish council along with the local scouts group, primary school and naval cadet unit TS Alacrity – whose marching band will be performing throughout the day. Local businesses such as Discover Wine, who came up with the original Apple Day concept, will also be involved.
Denmead in Bloom co-ordinator Liz Williams has suggested planting a community orchard, having recently visited other community orchards across Hampshire. She said:
Denmead in Bloom showcased community orchards at last year’s Apple Day and many people were interested, so I’d like to form an orchard group to take this idea forward. Orchards are great for wildlife as well as being enjoyable, restful places for people to visit – with lovely blossom in spring and fruit to gather in autumn. At this year’s Apple Day we are asking for donations to the orchard project in return for freshly pressed apple juice.
Liz continued:
As a community project, we invite you to sponsor apple tree planting and come along to workshops where you’ll learn how to look after the orchard and show children where apples come from.
Apple Day admission is free and all are welcome to come and join the fun. If you would like to get involved with the community orchard project please contact Liz Williams on 023 9226 9642. For more details about Apple Day call Janine Pert of Discover Wine on 023 9225 5037.