Tart or pie, muffin or cupcake, crumble or baked, frangipane or strudel, flapjack or feuille - you will certainly find your favourite - and they are all made with apple. Oh, and there is an apple chocolate fountain as well! Enjoy them all with a freshly ground coffee from Jessie's coffee truck.
It's going to be a bumper crop this autumn! The trees are groaning with fruit all around the village and especially in the community orchard.
So it's going to be a great Apple Day! Make a note in your diary now so you don't miss the biggest and best Apple Day in Oxfordshire.
What to expect? Be amazed with Paul Chilton's GIANT display of over 100 heritage varieties of apple; cakes, biscuits, pies all made with apple; juice tasting fresh from the press; taste over 12 different varieties of apple; help with the pressing to make your own juice; bring your bottles!;chocolate apple fountain; cider tasting; filled baguettes made with the Red Lion's famous apple chutneys; Pickles Produce juice to buy; Jessie's Coffee Truck and a children's playground to keep everyone happy.
No charge - just come along! to the Recreation Ground, Mackney Lane OX10 0SQ. Street parking only.
Find out more about the day on our Facebook page.
Here are just some of the highlights of the orchard this summer.
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| Bumble bee on knapweed |
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| Cinnabar moth caterpillar on Ragwort |
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| Hoverfly Volucella Inanis (male) on Scabious |
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| Scabious |
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| Wild Carrot |
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| Scabious |
We have been very lucky to be able to plant new trees in one of the oldest orchards in the village. This orchard has big trees more than 100 years old which still bear fruit each autumn. Sadly, two of the huge Blenheim Orange trees have suffered this winter and are leaning over probably due to the ground being so wet and some strong winds this winter. But they will be fine as long as they still have strong roots in the ground.
Six new trees were planted: 3 plum, 2 apple and one pear. With luck they will thrive and grow to be 100 years old as well.
The new trees are: Victoria plum, Oullins Golden Gage, Kirks Blue plum; Kid's Orange Red, Herefordshire Russet; and Concord pear.
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| 100 year old Blenheim Orange trees |
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| A leaning Blenheim Orange |
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| Just 5 more holes to dig |
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| Each tree has been lined up to each row |
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| Vital guard dog! |
Cholsey orchard group contacted us last year to ask for advice about what to do next to improve their orchard. A few years ago they were able to use some land in the heart of the village and had already planted some apple trees. Now was the opportunity to plant some more and Paul Chilton was the obvious "go to person" for help.
With Paul's expertise in suggesting several different varieties and sourcing the best possible trees, the group were able to choose 4 new trees - Scrumptious, Bramley, Red Devil and Rosemary Russet.
