Bleasby Apple Fest 2019
The Bleasby Parish community came together in October for a good old-fashioned day of fun and games when families brought their unwanted apples to the village green and helped scrat and press them into fresh juice.
Under the experienced guidance of Leo, from Summerwood Community Garden in Clifton, over 200 litres of fresh juice were pressed during the day; some for tasting, some for Leo to make Blue Barrel cider for his project and the rest to make a delicious scrumpy cider for next year’s festival; already having been named ‘Bleasby Wanger’ after the very popular Apple Wanging competition that took place on the day! Thanks goes to Starkys Fruit, Kelham Hall and Nottingham Trent University for their generous apple donations.
Other activities included an Apple BakeOff, Apple & Spoon Race (dressed as Granny Smith), Apple Stamping, Guess the Weight of the Witch’s Apple (a giant pumpkin), Catch the Maggot, an apple shy and bagatelle!
Bleasby Primary School made personalised apple pennants which decorated the site and St Mary’s Church served free refreshments and hosted a historical display of historic local orchards. The Waggon & Horses laid on the BBQ and a range of ciders whilst the WI were best placed to decide the BakeOff winners for Funniest, Most Creative and Tastiest bakes.
A huge “thank-you” goes out to the local organisations who provided their voluntary support along with The Bleasby Events Team and everyone who gave a helping hand on the day.
- The wonderful Leo and Emma, who run Summerwood Community Garden in Clifton, Nottingham, helped make apple juice and were able to take back a few kegs for their own Blue Barrel cider which is sold to generate revenue for their project.
- Local juice producer John Starkey kindly donated a nice quantity of their beautiful Bramley’s Seedling apples, along with Nottingham Trent University and Kelham Hall who allowed their orchards to be picked before the event.
- John and Helen from Hempsall Heritage Orchard in East Markham provided a wonderful display of over 40 types of apples along with a range of apples for tasting – very educational!
- Local charity Reach Learning Disability loaned two marquees and around £190 was raised for their Flower Pod project thanks to donations from visitors who consumed the BakeOff entries!
- Pulp Friction Smoothie Bar came along with their fantastic smoothie making bike – ideal for taking the pressed apple juice and mixing it with locally grown fruit.
- Live acoustic music was provided throughout the afternoon by a local group of local artists who work together under the banner of Eternal Youth – this really helped to cement together the whole event and provided a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere – the icing on the apple cake!
Also a bigh thanks to the Beasby Events Team for organising the event and to all of those who gave ahnd on the day.
New and innovative ideas on how to celebrate the humble apple are already emerging for next year’s event so it looks like the Bleasby Apple Fest is here to stay!
