THIS month is certainly proving to be a time of mellow fruitfulness, with a bumper crop of apples providing the raw ingredients for pies, juices and ciders. In Buckland Monachorum, Celia Steven, descendant of Henry Merryweather, who started producing the famous Bramley cooking apple in the 1850s, was one of the guests of honour at St Andrew?s School, where the children held an apple pie making competition. Judging the entries was Masterchef Peter Gorton of The Horn of Plenty restaurant at Gulworthy. Peter has had a busy time judging apple pies this month ? last weekend, he attended the Bere Ferrers village apple day at which there was another pie making competition, in addition to creation of juice using traditional presses. The competition was well supported, and Peter was spoilt for choice but the winners he eventually chose were: Adults: 1 Marion Friend; 2 Mrs E G Wheldon; 3 Bethany Gay. Children and schools classes, 5 to 8 years: Harriot Smith, age 7; Jessica Edwards, age 5; Mhairi Milne, age 7. Age 8 to 11 years: Shannon Morris, 10 and a half years; Erik Lindsay, age 8; Scott Morris, age 8. Harriot Smith from Bere Alston Primary School was the overall winner in the children?s class. The winner of the adult pie competition Marion Friend was presented with a luxury Horn of Plenty hamper by Peter, and Bere Alston Primary School will receive a demonstration by Peter. West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox presented prizes and congratulated the winners, entrants, and organiser Brian Lamb and his team. Following the prize winning announcement visitors tried the varieties of apple pie and enjoyed music by ?The Apple Tarts?. A host of attractions also filled the church hall during the day. These included the ?Apple Cheese? pressing demonstrations, and ?Apple Identification? by James and Mary Evans, from St Dominick. Numerous old varieties of apples from the Tamar Valley were on display. Endsleigh Garden Nursery was available to offer expert advice on fruit trees with a range of trees for sale. The children?s competitions proved popular as they could bob for apples, attempt to make the longest apple peel, or a monster animal. The hall had been decorated by Carole Clark, and stall holders were in traditional rural costumes. All proceeds were in aid of local projects. The organisers of the event expressed thanks to Peter for his enthusiasm, the Horn of Plenty, Orchard Link, and Tamar Valley Services. The next Apple Festival will be on October 11, 2008.
