After a summer of light pruning on the community orchard and thinning of the fruit to produce a better crop, October sees the culmination of all the work done over the past year: the pressing of the apples.
The volunteers hire equipment from the Codford Community Orchard group, consisting of a scratcher that loosely chops the fruit and a water-pressurised juicer. It is a dynamic, lively process where many hands can help and is still wonderful to see the juice pouring out even before being switched on.
Laxton’s Superb, Bedwyn Beauty, Worcester Pearmain, Katy, Egremont Russett and Roundway Magnum Bonham are just some of the varieties that will be pressed. A separate one will be done for the two types of Redlove – these have a deep red flesh and juice to match.
The orchard’s fruit will be collected on Friday 10th October, from 2pm. The pressing will take place on the Orchard on Saturday 11th October, from 11am to 2pm, by Boreham Road. If you have apples you would like to press, please bring them along. Also, remember to save containers for this (plastic ones will freeze), as we cannot provide them.
The apple pressing is one of two events in the orchard calendar (the other being the Wassail in January) that is all the better for community participation. Whilst folk walking their dogs can meet one another, this has a focus for all ages to take part in and is what makes it a community orchard.
By Jennie Gilling, Events Officer, Sustainable Warminster
