BERE Apple Fest returns this year on October 4 at the Church Hall, Bere Ferrers. This year's Apple Fest takes place between 1pm and 5pm, with proceedings being opened by Ted Sherrell, the well-known author and local councillor — amongst other things! The main activity of the day is the opportunity to crush and press apples to make delicious, fresh juice. For a small fee, there is even the option for visitors to bring their own apples from home to make apple juice. Many other apple activities will also be on offer, such as advice on grafting and pruning, apple identification and apple tree sales as well as competitions for young and old alike, including, of course, the Apple Pie Baking Competition! This year's competition will be judged by the head chef from The Barn restaurant at The National Trust Cotehele property, Simon Thompson. As well as the children's section in the apple pie competition, there will also be a prize for best animal made out of an apple and also the longest apple peel competition, so plenty for all to be involved with. As well as these events, there will be the usual raffle and the Dartmoor Border Morris will be on hand to demonstrate various dances in the road — weather permitting of course! This will also be followed by a musical interlude from the Tavy Tars and possible other guests. This year's festival will incorporate many other aspects of country life, including rural crafts, advice on beekeeping and, for the very first time, a demonstration of scything, which will take place in the orchard. Any surplus profit from the day will be generously donated to Devon Air Ambulance, Bere Alston Youth2Youth and the Bere Peninsula Food Bank.