It’s time to rediscover apples this autumn, according to Dorset Wildlife Trust. Apple Day at Broad Oak Community Orchard on 2nd October is a chance to celebrate a fruit that is being recognised as a delicious part of our culinary heritage and landscape.
The event, at DWT’s orchard reserve near Sturminster Newton, will showcase the taste of apples with an apple cake competition, cider from the reserve’s apples to buy as well as the chance to see how this traditional drink is made.
Joy Wallis, Community Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Apples are bound up with Dorset’s life and landscape. Orchards, once abundant in Dorset, are wonderful for wildlife and our orchards such as Broad Oak are keeping both tradition and wildlife going, and the fruit tastes great too! We will have many old English varieties of apple on the day and we encourage people to come and let our experts identify mystery apples from their garden.”
A priority habitat
Also at the Apple Day will be an apple peeling contest, singing from the Sturminster Young Stars choir and from storyteller Tim Laycock. Bees are among the wildlife particularly associated with orchards and there will be information about bee keeping as well as everything you want to know about arguably the most versatile fruit in England.
Old orchards are so important for wildlife that they are now a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Apple blossom feeds many flying insects and the open tree landscape is very good for bugs and beetles, some of which can only be found in rotting apple wood.
The Apple Day is on Sunday 2nd October from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Broad Oak Community Orchard, New Road, Broad Oak, near Sturminster Newton, grid ref ST 791123. Free event suitable for the whole family. Please use the free park and ride from Sturminster Newton’s Station Road car park as parking at Broad Oak is very limited. For more information, ring 01305 264620.
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Notes to Editor
For more information please contact Joy Wallis at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life
Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.
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Apples from Broad Oak community orchard.
Photo by Tony Bates
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