Newbury prepares for second annual Apple Day

The event takes place between 9am until 4pm and visitors are encouraged to save their surplus apples and bring them to be pressed into juice.
Last year’s event was very popular so this time there will be another celebration of apples – a chance to see juice being squeezed, baked apple cakes and treats to buy, apple themed games for young people, as well as a chance to find out more about Newbury’s community orchards.
One of the organisers, Judy Cooper, said: “We’re delighted to be able to run another Apple Day in October. It was great to see people enjoying pressing juice and tasting apples last year.
"This year’s harvest is likely to be much better than last year’s, so we are hoping that local gardeners will bring along their surplus apples on the day.”
Apple days have been running up and down the country since 1990, helping to raise awareness of the rich variety of apples that are grown in England - many more than the handful of types that are seen on supermarket shelves. These events have increased interest in preserving these rare apples.
And three community orchards based in Newbury are doing just that.
This year Waitrose Newbury donated 30 trees for these orchards, all on Newbury Town Council land, providing a great opportunity to plant some local Newbury apple varieties such as Miller’s seedling, Charles Ross and a newly named variety called Granny Shan.
Heritage varieties, such as these local Newbury apples, will be available to taste on the day and experts will be on hand to provide information.