Sunlight breaking through the trees in the New Forest
Bobbing, crushing, tasting and decorating – just some of the activities you can do with apples at Denmead’s second Apple Festival.
Taking place on Saturday 10 October from 10am until 3pm, Denmead Apple Festival is set to be bigger and better than the successful event held last year.
Once again, local people will be able to bring their own apples and watch them being pressed into juice, but this year there will be much more to entertain the crowds.
The event was the brainchild of local independent wine shop owner Janine Pert, who is excited at how this year’s event has grown in size and scope.
Janine said: “We had a great day last year with many members of the local community joining in the fun, and this year we wanted to give them even more. As well as a stage with local musicians playing live all day, there will be an apple obstacle course created by local fitness training company Smart-Fit and a craft area where children can have a go at creating a ‘Mr Applehead’ figurine – and all of this is free.”
The event is being supported by The Southern Co-operative, and colleagues from the local store will be on hand to introduce visitors to try different types of British apples as well as taste varieties of locally produced Hill Farm apple juice.
The Southern Co-operative’s Retail Business Manager in Denmead, Eden Kirkby, said: “It’s good to work together with other local independent businesses to create a festival that brings the local community together and a lovely village atmosphere. As a business, we’re also very supportive of local food and drink producers through our Local Flavours range available in store, and this apple festival is a true celebration of local provenance and seasonality.”
Eden added: “Last year it was great to see the enjoyment on children’s faces pressing the apples and trying the juice, and this year’s event promises to be even more fun!”
Winchester City Council’s Market Town’s Development officer, Heidi Isa, is helping to coordinate the event with support from Denmead Parish Council, Denmead in Bloom, Denmead Scouts, Rowan’s Hospice and several local businesses. It is hoped the event will ap-peal to everyone!
