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1st February 2017

THE 15th BERE APPLE FEST

Saturday 7th October 2017  1-5pm

Bere Ferrers Church Hall and environs

More details will be posted nearer the date, so keep checking!

 

 

 

6th August 2016

THE 14^th BERE APPLE FEST

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 1-5PM

BERE FERRERS CHURCH HALL

Your Committee have again been busy planning this year’s event and we are delighted to welcome James Crowden as our major guest. James is an author, poet, explorer (F.R.G.S.), shepherd, sheep shearer, forester and cider maker! His books include ‘Cider – the Forgotten Miracle’ and ‘Ciderland’. He will meet you and have copies of his books with him. Further details are on his web site: james-crowden.co.uk.

This year we are featuring “Meeting the Experts”, who will be there to help and advise those attending.

We haven’t forgotten the old favourites: the “World Famous Apple Pie Competition”, again sponsored by Seth Robertson and his Robertson’s Restaurant in Tavistock; children’s games; rural crafts; tree purchases, pruning and grafting; Dartmoor Border Morris, etc. etc.

To many, the most important feature of Apple Fest is the opportunity to have their apples pressed (clean ones, please!) – and don’t forget to bring containers to take the juice home. No apples to press? Simple, there will be adequate supplies of juice to purchase.

We still need a few more members to help run the event, with vacancies in all departments. If you would like to join the team please contact Brian Lamb (briankay1@tiscali.co.uk) tel: 01822 841309

TRAINING DAYS FOR MEMBERS

At the beginning of each season we give members the opportunity of learning how our presses, pasteurisers and other equipment works so that we are satisfied that you can safely hire them (details of hiring are on our web site.). It is also an opportunity for you to press any early apples that you have. This year it will again be at Greystone Cottage, Bere Ferrers (PL20 7JX) on Sunday 4^th September from 10am until 2pm. It will again feature a DIY barbecue, so bring along your lunch ingredients and we will supply the heat to cook it - and some juice!

WINTER PRUNING COURSE

Details to be announced, but it is likely to be in January 2017.

SUBSCRIPTIONS                                                                                                             

It is regrettable that some of you h a v e  n o t  y e t p a i d  y o u r subscriptions!!  You forgot? Your partner was dealing? It is still on the mantelpiece!! We are now allowing you to renew this month at no additional charge! Please help the work load on our new Membership Secretary by putting a cheque in the post or doing a bank transfer today! Details of how to do this are on our website. If you have decided not to continue, an email by return to me would be helpful.

Thank You.

FAREWELL TO WILL AND PETER

William and Carol and Peter and Rose have moved to Portsmouth and Worcester respectively. They were some of the Founder members who started TTAG and have been heavily involved for the last 14 years in developing the Group and, in particular, their leadership and entrepreneurial skills at the “pressing factory” at our Apple Fests. We thank them for this and give them our best wishes for the future (rumour has it that there may be a guest appearance at this year’s Apple Fest).

 

MEMBERS' AFTERNOON Members congregated in Richard Peden’s orchard where Rosemary Teverson gave us a talk on pollinating insects. Rosemary then led us round the orchard pointing out various plants which were beneficial to insects. Richard was complemented on the variety of wildlife present, together with a healthy population of slow worms! He also provided an excellent photographic display of flora and fauna in the orchard. Our second speaker of the afternoon was Celia Stephens, who gave us a history of the Bramley apple and how by happy accident she had become involved.  From the chance growing of an apple pip by Mary Ann Brailsford in 1809, Celia has travelled to Japan in her work of promoting the Bramley and has forged links worldwide. We also learnt of her longstanding work in achieving European protection for the apple. Following the cream tea, prizes were presented for the juices and ciders which had been subjected to a ‘blind tasting’ by members. Peter Crozier wound up the afternoon by thanking the speakers who were presented with flowers and local apple juice. Chairman Peter Crozier, Celia Stephens, Ann Crozier, Rosemary Teverson.                   Prizewinners: Ann, David Pearce and Brian Lamb with the Chairman.             Rosemary gives her talk in the orchard.