This enormous pumpkin
was auctioned
on Apple Day

Photo: Peter Gamble

Apple Day

England has always been the perfect place to grow apples and that is why we have hundreds of locally grown varieties going back many centuries. Apple Day is a national event that was introduced by Common Ground many years ago because we were grubbing up most of our traditional orchards and losing so many of our old varieties for ever. Their hope was that by celebrating our local apples we would generate new interest in our heritage fruit and thereby stop the loss. I have been involved with organising Apple Days for about ten years and in 2007 I suggested to the Trust that Copped Hall would be a wonderful place to hold such an event: we had the space, the volunteers, delicious refreshments and a newly planted Heritage Orchard in the WalledGarden to show that it is possible to replace what has been lost. The Trust was delighted with the idea and the rest is history.

Each year the number of visitors has grown as the event becomes more widely known; it is a great day out for families as there is plenty to do and see for children and adults alike. As well as lots of information about apples we have more than 50 varieties on display, and you can taste before you buy delicious varieties you are unlikely to find in the shops. The children love the apple juicing, using our own apple press, and games such as apple bobbing, catch the maggot and the straw maze. There is Morris dancing and music, refreshments and bar, and many stalls and exhibitions, making for a wonderfully relaxing day in beautiful surroundings. We are celebrating our fourth Apple Day this year on 10 October so please come along.

Helen Lowther