Winter in the orchard

Pruning once again

The trees are growing so well now that pruning is getting easier. Obviously, with all the restrictions we weren't able to have our normal pruning party but Paul and his helper pruned all the trees one cold and misty morning.

A pleasing discovery was to see that the geocache box is still there. It was first discovered in the long grass when the wildflowers were being scythed. All of the crew added some treasure to the box and signed our names in the book.

Geocache box in the orchard

Apple Weekend and Apple Trail

What a great weekend!

Did you see the boxes and the posts around the village? Over 200 people followed the Apple Trail. 

So many people came along to the hall to see Paul's display and try lots of different apples and take them home.

It was definitely a winner and we will have an Apple Trail again next year when we are back to normal with a big celebration Apple Day at the Red Lion.

Make your own apple juice or cider

 Why not make your own apple juice!

If you would like to make your own apple juice why not hire the village press? We supply all the equipment you require - barrels, crushers, press, buckets, scoop; all you need are the apples and bottles. 

You could join in with friends who have trees, or neighbours who would like to help out? As a guide, about 4 Tesco bags for life will fill the press.

To book the press email brightwellorchardpresshire@gmail.com. It's great fun!

Scything the wildflowers

 Did you see the wildflowers this summer? There were some lovely varieties and grew waist high. At the end of the summer we scythed the orchard using traditional wood Austrian scythes. A gang of volunteers took just two hours to mow it all and kept an eye out for the occasional toad and frog and even a very small vole.

The first apples are ready !

 Have you started to notice the apples growing in gardens and old orchards in the village? 

Yes, the season has kicked off with Beauty of Bath in Church Lane. Discovery is such a bright, almost fluorescent pink that it is the easiest to see over walls and hedges. Tydeman's Early Worcester is an acquired taste but Scrumptious is as good as it sounds.

Have a stroll through the village orchard soon. The trees are laden, so much so that some of them have branches that are touching the ground.

Discovery

Spring blossom and summer wildflowers

You can see by the amount of apples on the trees that it is going to be a bumper harvest this autumn because we there was so much blossom in spring.

The wildflowers beneath the trees were fabulous.  Have a walk or have a picnic on the benches or play among the flowers and watch the fruit grow.