Orchard Day celebrations set to be the apple of our eye

Orchard Day in Swadlincote is set to provide a whole host of a-peel-ing activities, apples and fruity products for visitors to enjoy.

Visitors are being invited to celebrate Orchard Day - Swadlincote’s interpretation of Apple Day, which celebrates and promotes the wonderful variety of British apples.

The free event takes place on The Delph, Swadlincote on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15 between 10am and 3pm.

Fruit fans are being urged to bring along windfalls from their trees and some containers or plastic bottles so that pressed apple juice can be taken home to enjoy.

Martyn Ford, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council said:

“We’re excited about this year’s Orchard Day. It’s a family-friendly free event which is not only fun but also educational and useful. Visitors are set to come away with mouth-watering recipes, facts and apple juice.

“This year, Orchard Day falls during the Heritage Open Days weekend. There will also be free heritage activities with Swadlincote Townscape team on The Delph at the same time.”

People are invited to bring samples of their own apples and home-made produce - a prize will be handed to the best locally sourced and created recipe, consisting of at least one local ingredient.

The Environmental Education Project is also inviting schools to celebrate Orchard Day with a visit to Rosliston Forestry Centre from Tuesday, September 11 to Thursday, September 13.

Each session is two hours long and costs £100 for a class of up to 30 children. During their visit, children will get the chance to learn where apples come from and taste a wide variety, some of which aren’t found in the shops. The session also includes a chance to make and taste real apple juice and take part in a special crab apple hunt.

Townscape education sessions in Swadlincote are also available for schools to coincide with Orchard Day and throughout September and October. Contact the Environmental Education Project for further details.

The first “Apple Day” was on held on October 21, 1990 in Covent Garden. It was launched by Common Ground, a charity which champions local diversity, to celebrate and demonstrate the richness and diversity of landscape, place, ecology and culture in Britain, and to warn that we are in danger of losing such wealth.

For further information and to book school Orchard Day sessions, contact Environmental Education on 01283 535039 or email rosliston@southderbyshire.gov.uk   

Find the Environmental Education Project on Twitter and the Environmental Project at Rosliston Forestry Centre on Facebook.

30 August 2018