ON a glorious autumn day last Saturday the Tavy and Tamar Apple Group held the eleventh Bere Ferrers Apple Festival.

Opened by the Wag from Widecombe, Tony Beard, there was much to entertain the locals and visitors, during this well attended event, held in and around the church hall.

Chris Groves from the National Trust, Richard Peden and Frances Howard were kept busy identifying 'unknown' varieties.

Ross and Suzy Dyter were available to explain the benefits of bees in the orchard and their stall was packed with equipment.

Members of Bere Ferrers WI donned floral outfits and their stall decked in all things apple did a roaring trade in tasty treats.

Children enjoyed taking part in apple crushing, the longest peel competition, and making arty animals.

There were displays by Bere Ferrers Community Orchard, Devon Rural Skills, and Charles Staniland gave pruning demonstrations in the North Orchard which proved popular, as did grafting from the Endsleigh Nurseries.

Meanwhile members of the Tavy and Tamar Apple Group had set up the 'cheese' which continued to produce delicious amber apple juice all afternoon. Visitors were also encouraged to bring their own apples to be crushed for a small fee.

Dartmoor Border Morris entertained with traditional music, lively dances and colourful costumes, visitors browsed the stalls, crafts, flowers, white elephants (St Andrew's Church) and enjoyed the sea faring shanties performed by the Tavy Tars in their own style.

Seth and Sally Robinson judged the appetising apple pies and declared the winners to be:

Adult: 1 Victoria Richards (meal for two at Robertson's Organic Restaurant Tavistock); 2 Anne Turner; 3 Jean White; highly commended Margaret Willmott.

Child 9-11: Bryn Bourton.

Child under 8 years: Lily.

Longest apple peel: Adult: Jane Moses 39" (Dartington Crystal tickets); Jean Coltell 31" (Carngla E Caverns).

Child: George (Diggerland); Neve (Milky Way).

Animals: Tom Davy (age 5); Issy Pearcy (6); Pippa Dyter (5).

The raffle was a success with a first prize of tickets to Plymouth Theatre Royal going to Howes, and two first class return tickets on the First Great Western Rail Network, going to Anne Turner.

Devon Air Ambulance and St Luke's Hospice will receive donations.

Thanks were expressed to Brian Lamb and his committee for a well organised event, and to all the backroom staff and those who supported the apple festival.