Tarvin Apple Pressing Day 2024

From Charles Bradley, Tarvin Community Woodland Trust ....

Tarvin Apple Pressing Day 2024

As we sat, warm and dry, during the vast amounts of rain that have been deposited on us over the past days, Jacqui & I were talking about the imminent approach of this year's Apple Pressing Day. "We do hope it's a nice, sunny, warm day, again," we said. Over the years since the event was inaugurated in 2015, we have had mostly sunny days. However, does anyone remember Saturday 1st October 2016? We do. So will anyone else who came to our second Apple Pressing Day in Tarvin Woodland that day. The morning began overcast but, once everything was set up, the heavens opened and it rained continuously – and hard – for most of the four hours. It could have been a disaster.

But it wasn't! Tarvin families came along, garbed in rain-proofs and wellies, carrying their bags and buckets of apples. They pressed their own apple juice, did craft work and stood, in the rain, eating burgers and hot dogs. Those who came told us how much they had enjoyed themselves. It just goes to prove the saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing! And what the day did demonstrate really clearly was that Tarvin Apple Day can go on, whatever the weather!

This year, the apple pressing will be on Saturday 5th October and will again run from 11.00am through to 3.00pm (which we hope is a good time for busy families) and held, of course, in the woodland behind Crossfields, in the area where our apple trees are growing. We're hoping, of course, for a day of bright sunshine and warm breezes, to show Tarvin's beautiful woodland at its very best.

As always, of course, the object of the exercise is to produce apple juice and, with our apple crusher and three presses working, everyone should be able to turn at least some of their own apples into delicious juice.

Bring along a bagful – or a bucketful – or a barrowload of your surplus apples – windfalls will work well (and other people's windfalls are super, if you can persuade the folk to let your family collect them!). If you also bring along a PLASTIC bottle, you may be able to go home with juice to drink on the following day. (Beware – do store it in the refrigerator, though – if the liquid begins to ferment, and turn into the start of alcoholic cider, the Carbon Dioxide gas released will cause the bottle to split and leave you with a terrible mess!)

There will also be lots of 'crafty' things for youngsters to try, so they can be kept interested while parents renew acquaintance with friends. Do come along with your family and your friends and enjoy a day in lovely Cheshire countryside, doing traditional country things, without ever leaving Tarvin village! What could possibly be better than that?

As ever, our aim is to produce a great family day out in Tarvin woodland at minimum cost for parents. Admission and apple pressing will all be free of any charge, as will any craft work that has not necessitated the purchase of the materials to be used. Since the event will run over lunchtime, there will also be Wally Dutton's hot dogs and beef burgers, together with both hot and cold drinks, and the prices for these will be modest- the Trust will just try to cover the costs of the items used. Tarvin Christmas Market Committee will also be present with their famous pancakes, in order to do some fund-raising for yet another of the events that makes Tarvin such a special place to live.

Just a warning reminder, though – there are no loos in Tarvin Woodland!

So, if you can, do come along – whatever the weather – and enjoy a low-cost day in lovely Cheshire countryside, doing traditional country things, without ever having to leave Tarvin village!

Ed: Come back here tomorrow for more details about bringing along your surplus apples!