PUPILS at St Andrew's School in Buckland Monachorum have their own supply of apples for the teachers this term, thanks to the creation of a community orchard in a field donated by a local farmer.

The orchard, containing 30 apple trees and three cherry trees, is used to help the pupils study a range of subjects and next Saturday, the school is inviting people to learn more about the local history of Tamar varieties of apple.

The event is being staged as part of the Devon Celebration of Food, which highlights the excellent range of local produce available in the county.

The Apple Day Celebration will feature several apple-themed demonstrations and crafts, including apple pressing, artwork and ceramic painting and quiltmaking. Produce will be sold by members of local Women's Institutes.

West Devon horticulturalist Celia Steven has organised the event. She champions the cause of apples, not surprisingly as she is the great-granddaughter of Henry Merryweather, the man who introduced the famous Bramley cooking apple almost 200 years ago.

'I am passionate about our local traditional varieties of apples and events of this type help bring them to the attention of a wider audience,' she said.

Celia took advantage of a recent appearance as a contestant on the television programme 'Ready, Steady, Cook' to promote Tamar apples and was given autographed souvenirs by the presenter Ainsley Harriott and the guests chefs. These will be the prizes for competitions staged at the Apple Day Celebration including an apple pie baking contest.

The Apple Day Celebration will be held at the school on Saturday, October 11 from 10am to 2pm.

For further information contact Celia Steven on 01822 855312.

A mouth-watering range of events are being staged during this year's Devon Celebration of Food.

This is the second Devon Celebration of Food and it has been timed to coincide with traditional harvest festivals. Events are being held by food producers, hotels, pubs, shops, local community groups, schools and colleges.

Devon County Council executive member for economy and regeneration Cllr Derrick Spear said: 'This nine day long Devon Celebration of Food will showcase the abundance of excellent food and drink produced in Devon.

'For local people, the series of countywide events means everyone can find something appetising within easy reach.'

The full-colour programme of events throughout the county can be found at the