We were all delighted that you took the time to visit us at The Big Apple Day.

 

Enquiries were made about:

• Pressing your own apples for pasteurised juice and/or cider.
• Pruning and identification.
• Restoration of your orchard.

We are holding three Saturday pressings at

Gastrells Farm, Portway, Upton St. Leonards. GL4 8DS.

 

The dates are: 26^th October and 2^nd November. If demand is high, other dates can be arranged.

 

• All the equipment is set up inside a beautiful Tythe Barn, so it does not matter what the weather throws at us.
• John Watts [The Farm owner] and / or an Apple Core member will be on hand to help and explain the process.
• A charge will be made to cover the cost of equipment, calor gas, and power. (approx. £1.20 per bottle using our bottles and assuming you want it pasteurised.  It is much cheaper if you just want to press the juice and take it home for cider or freezing) 
• New sterile bottles are available for juice. If you are pressing juice for cider, you will need to bring your own containers.
• If you would like to press your own fruit, please could you let me know by email [greg@microhep.com] what times and date you would prefer.

Apple Identification & Pruning.

 

Martin Hayes is a professional tree surgeon, working closely with Gloucestershire Orchard Group. He is happy to advise free of charge on identification and pruning. Contact him direct: martin.hayes9@btinternet.com  Tel: 07900 985679.

 

Orchard Restoration

 

The Painswick Community Orchard Group would love to get involved in any restoration project where there is a community benefit.

If the orchard is private, John Rhodes [812709]  or Brian Radford [mob: 07503884386] are happy to quote for hedge trimming and clearance work.

BIG apple day...

Art Couture Painswick

Art Couture is a huge wearable art festival that takes over the small Cotswold town of Painswick each year. This year the orchard group will be at Red Lion House in the heart of Painswick (opposite Hamptons Estate Agent) selling homemade elderflower cordial and ice cream. 

Do come and say hello and find out more about the Apple Day that this year will be taking place on Sunday, 29th September. 

Was heil!

Thank you for coming to the wassail last night, we hope that you had lots of fun and that your heads aren't too sore this morning? We were delighted that so many local people came, old faces and lots of new ones too supporting this enchanting Painswick Community Orchard Group event.

John Rhodes led the wassail down to the orchard, many held fire lit torches, whilst others banged their pots and pans. Many of the children wore amazing masks that they had made. In the picture above you can just about see photographer Paul Nicholls' camera lens, we are delighted that The Citizen came and took pictures and look forward to seeing them in print.

After the 'king tree' was blessed, everyone returned to the Church Rooms to listen to live music from Out to Lunch, watch the fantastic Petty Heglers Mummers perform a traditional play and enjoy a glass (or two) of cider!

Was heil to you all and here's hoping all of our merriment brings a fruitful harvest this year.

Wassail on Saturday, 12th January 2013

Meet at Church Rooms at 5pm for Wassailing. 

Bring your pans, drums, whistles and animal masks and join us on a procession down Vicarage Street to the orchard in Beech Lane to wake the trees from their winter sleep and encourage a good harvest. The orchard and lanes are very dark so you may want to bring torches or lanterns too. 

Then afterwards from 6.30pm in the Church Rooms for music and food.

Live music from ‘Out to Lunch’ and guest DJs. 

A warming supper (all under £2) and a cider bar.

Admission £2.50 – kids go free.