THERE will be apples in abundance, demonstrations, competitions and plenty of other apple-related items at this year's Bere Apple Fest.

In its ninth year, the event, organised by the Tavy and Tamar Apple Group, will take place in and around Bere Ferrers Church Hall on Saturday October 8 from 1pm until 5pm.

Richard Burningham, manager of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, will open the apple fest, to which visitors are welcome to bring their own apples and turn them into juice for a small donation. Visitors must bring their own clean containers for this service.

Apple products will be on sale at the WI stall and refreshments will be available.

The popular apple pie baking competition will take place again, with prizes up for grabs. There will be two classes, one for adults and young people over 12 and one for children.

A number of other competitions will be run for children at the Apple Fest, such as the Longest Apple Peel and Animals made from Apples, and visitors are also invited to compose a poem about apples.

As usual, Endsleigh Nurseries at Milton Abbott will be on hand to give advice about buying fruit trees and will have a range of trees on display and for sale.

The Apple Fest will also feature an Apple Shy, expert beekeepers, rural crafts, advice for apple growers, and music from the Tavy Tars.

Anyone intending to visit is encouraged to get there early as parking is limited.

A limited number of stalls are available for hire. Contact Brian Lamb on 01822 841309.

l Gather your apples and get them made into juice by the Tavy and Tamar Apple Group this weekend.

The group and its impressive apple press will be outside or near the Pannier Market, Tavistock on Saturday (October 1) between 10am and 2pm.

They will provide a service of producing apple juice from apples provided by members of the public, who must bring their own clean, plastic fruit juice or glass containers.

The apples must be from 'clean' orchards — ones that have not been grazed by cattle or sheep within the last three months.

A nominal charge will be made for the processing. No booking is required, just arrive with clean apples and juice containers.