Date issued: 20 September 2019
Come along and celebrate the best of British apples at Colchester’s free Apple Day taking place at Together We Grow CICs Big Garden at High Woods Country Park, on Saturday 29 September from 12 noon – 3pm.
Hosted by ‘Together We Grow’, a Community Interest Company, as part of National Organic month, over 200 visitors are expected 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 cafe.
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.
Once again, apples from the orchard will be juiced using Cycle Colchester’s Pulp Friction, and the Big Friendly Gardeners and their amazing cake from garden fruit.
Wayne Setford, Founder of Together We Grow, has been running the event at the community garden and orchard for several years. This Apple Day marks the second year since it took over the Garden along with its volunteers from Colchester Borough Council. This year’s event has also been greatly assisted by Livewell, a campaign which helps to support residents to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Wayne Setford 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”.
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, said: “The Apple Day event in the Big Garden is always a popular fun day out and a fantastic way to bring the community together and celebrate healthy and outdoor activities.
“Together We Grow do a fantastic job of not only organising this annual event in High Woods Country Park but also by providing opportunities for local people to volunteer, train, learn from and enjoy the Park and other countryside sites in Colchester all year round.”
The Apple Day event is free entry and all donations will go towards the project.
Details of other Parks and Countryside events can be found at colchester.gov.uk/parkevents.
To volunteer with ‘Together We Grow’ or for any other enquiries, call Wayne Setford on 07979 077036.
Page last reviewed: 20 September 2019