The Big Apple weekend saw plenty of people out and about around the Much Marcle area, enjoying the countryside, learning about the apple and pear harvests and helping out in the pressing of the fruits for the production of fruit juices, cider and perry.
This video taken at Hellens at Much Marcle shows Carmel Stephens, Richard White, Richard Kirby and Giles and Alex Charlton, along with members of the public, who were there to watch, learn and help, pressing pears the old fashioned way. About 25 gallons of juice will be extracted from this cheese of pulped pears. Most of the pears were of the softer Blakeneys variety; others included the local, harder Aylton Reds.
All English apples are derived from the wild crab apple. According to figures from the People's Trust for Endangered Species in the last 50 years orchards in England have declined by almost 60%. This has a damaging affect on the eco-systems that live in and around the orchards that include groups such as lichens, rare plants, birds, insects and small mammals. One particular species under immediate threat is the noble chafer beetle, which depends on old orchards with mature trees of 50 to 80 years in age. Usually seen in July and August this elusive, shiny metallic-green beetle has been spotted recently in orchards in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
The People's Trust for Endangered Species are currently carrying out a two year traditional orchard survey to map England's orchards to raise awareness of bio-diversity in orchards and encourage traditional farming methods to halt the decline of species that live in these habitats.
Displaying their artwork at Hellens were Jennie Lane, felt maker, displaying her handmade, embroidered felt wall hangings and Chris Poole, diplomat, writer and photographer displaying his black and white photographs.
Response to a foolish professor (12)
