Date issued: 26 September 2018
Apple lovers should get set to celebrate the ‘Best of British’ at Colchester’s Apple Day, which takes place at Together We Grow’s Big Garden, at High Woods Country Park, on Saturday 29 September, from 12 noon – 3pm.
Hosted by ‘Together We Grow’, a Community Interest Company (CIC), as part of National Organic month, everyone is invited to this free, annual event which champions all things apple- and orchard-related.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy apple tasting, have a go at apple pressing and sample the fresh juice, make their own pedal powered smoothies from garden fruit and veg, take part in traditional apple-themed fun and games, and enjoy garden produce at the pop-up garden cafes.
Gardeners with more windfall apples than they know what to do with are encouraged to bring them along to make their own juice to take away or share on the day.
Local producers, Peach and Pippin will be juicing the apples. Other local producers taking part include: Food without Fuss Garden Café; Cycle Colchester’s Pulp Friction; CCVR with green wood turning and crafts, and volunteer group Big Friendly Gardeners.
Wayne Setford, Founder of Together We Grow, has been running the event at the community garden and orchard for a number of years. However, this Apple Day is the first since the CIC took over the Garden along with 40 volunteers from Colchester Borough Council.
Wayne said: “Apples and orchards have a wonderful heritage in Essex and we want to celebrate that history and showcase all the wonderful benefits orchards bring to people and wildlife. We’re lucky enough to have a very productive orchard here in the community garden where ‘Together We Grow’ delivers workshops and programmes for those with mental health needs and learning difficulties, school children and the wider community.”
‘Together We Grow’ is a Social Enterprise, assisted by 40 volunteers, that works to improve lives through social and therapeutic horticulture techniques. The project has been greatly assisted by Livewell, local councillors Tina Bourne and Gerrard Oxford, the School of Social Entrepreneurs, Lloyds Bank and the Big Lottery Fund, as well as specific grants to improve the site from Myland Community Council.
Cllr Tina Bourne, Portfolio Holder for Housing & Communities, said: “Apple Day in the Big Garden is a wonderful way to bring communities together to celebrate the great outdoors and healthy lifestyles.
“Congratulations to ‘Together We Grow’ for organising this event and for their broader work in providing valuable opportunities for local people to benefit from voluntary work, training and recreation, education and lifelong learning within High Woods Country Park and at other countryside sites in Colchester.”
The Apple Day event is free entry and all donations will go towards the project. The garden is open for community volunteering on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and every other Saturday.
To volunteer with ‘Together We Grow’ or for any other enquiries, call Wayne Setford on 07979 077036.
Page last reviewed: 26 September 2018