Last updated 17:04, Monday, 20 October 2008

ROSY reds and tarte greens rolled into Furness by the bucket-load this weekend for an annual community Apple Day.
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Apples awaiting the pulping machine at the Blacksmiths Arms in Broughton Mills. LINDSEY DICKINGS REF: 0454875

Around 50 people brought their fruit along to the two-day event held at the Blacksmiths Arms, in Broughton, on Saturday, and the Prince of Wales, in Foxfield, yesterday.

Lower harvests following this summer’s wet weather failed to put apple tree owners off as they made the most of the community apple press available for use.

A team of experts from the Broughton Community Apple Press Association were on hand to help pulverize the fruits before extracting juice for cider making or drinking.

Association member Don McCrae said the weekend had been hugely successful.

He said: “People have really enjoyed bringing their fruit here to go home with entirely natural juice from their garden. Many people want to preserve or drink it. But cider is undergoing a real renaissance at the moment and we have been able to give lots of people advice on how to make their own organic version at home.”

The apple press was purchased four years ago thanks to a grant from the Lake District National Park Authority.

It can be hired for home use and is used to conduct the annual apple day every October.

Its popularity has now inspired a second group, which will be set up in Hawkshead, near Ambleside.

Mr McCrae said: “There is no tradition of cider making in this area until now. We hope people’s interest and enthusiasm in it will continue to grow and grow.”