Apple day is a matter of taste

From the archive, first published Friday 14th Oct 2005.

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: APPLES were the flavour of the day for hundreds of people visiting an historic country park. Lackham Country Park, in Lacock, held its annual apple day and attracted about 400 people at the weekend.

Andrew Davies, the curator at Lackham's Museum of Agriculture and Rural Life, said: "It was a terrific day for the weather. Lackham looks at its best in the autumn.

"We drew a lot more people than in previous years, which we were very pleased about."

There were about 70 varieties of apple on display, collected by apple expert Keith Goverd, from all over the country.

Visitors had the chance to see apples picked from their own gardens pressed for juice before their eyes.

Books full of apple recipes were on display as well as some tasty treats such as cinnamon, apple and raisin cakes.

Children made apple-shaped cards and there were tractor and trailer tours as well as mini railway rides.

Wood turners turned apple wood into wooden apples and made a platter, which was donated towards an auction of produce held at the end of the day to raise money for Christian Aid.

Pumpkins, dahlias, grapes and turnips from the walled garden at Lackham were also auctioned.

A harvest service of thanksgiving led by the Rev Sally Wheeler, vicar of Lacock, rounded off the day.

Mr Davies said: "It was a real family day and it was beautiful as the autumn sun went down.

"Most people like apples and everyone knows that they are very healthy and people are getting to understand that there are not just one or two varieties but all different varieties around the country.

"If anybody's got an apple tree in their garden they should count themselves lucky. Whether you pick them or make pies, they are attractive, taste wonderful and look great and are very English in their way."

By Jenny Haworth

More photographs appear in this week's Wiltshire Times & Chippenham News

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