Celebrating the Humble Apple
James Benn
James Benn
How many apple trees do you think there are in Betchworth? There are some 450 houses in the village, and most of the older ones have sizeable gardens with multiple apple trees: Mary has 17, John at least 12, the Station Road/Old Reigate Road group of houses some 25 between them, maybe more. There must be 1,000 trees, surely, maybe many more?
Few families - even with multiple grandchildren - can eat all the fruit that one mature tree will produce; mum may peel, chop, bag and freeze, and a few villagers have juiced, but typically the bulk of the crop will end up on the compost heap or tipped under a hedge somewhere,. Unless, that is, you are as wise as Ken, and do a deal with the Garden Cider Company in Chiddingfold.
A new option opened up on the misty morning of 15 October, when a Press Gang gathered around (almost) commercial grade equipment for the first ever Buckland and Betchworth Apple Press Day at the Village Hall. Under guidance from Leigh’s Charlotte Kinloch our team set up the weighing kit, the powered ‘scratter’ for macerating, presses and other paraphernalia in the carpark to produce the first ever Re-Betchworth freshly pressed apple juice. And it was delicious!
Few families - even with multiple grandchildren - can eat all the fruit that one mature tree will produce; mum may peel, chop, bag and freeze, and a few villagers have juiced, but typically the bulk of the crop will end up on the compost heap or tipped under a hedge somewhere,. Unless, that is, you are as wise as Ken, and do a deal with the Garden Cider Company in Chiddingfold.
A new option opened up on the misty morning of 15 October, when a Press Gang gathered around (almost) commercial grade equipment for the first ever Buckland and Betchworth Apple Press Day at the Village Hall. Under guidance from Leigh’s Charlotte Kinloch our team set up the weighing kit, the powered ‘scratter’ for macerating, presses and other paraphernalia in the carpark to produce the first ever Re-Betchworth freshly pressed apple juice. And it was delicious!
By opening time the skies had cleared, the sun was out and the place was a hive of activity with apples of every description being brought in. Inside the hall Sian and the Ellisons provided plenty of refreshments for all, including coffee and cake and ploughman's lunch with our own village chutney, made from apples of course! Clair from our Forest School kept the little ones busy with autumnal crafting and there was face painting too.
Those without their own crop were able to buy juice from donated fruit; and overall demand was so great we used up all our supply of new bottles before the official closing time, even though some people turned up with their own containers. A nice problem to have on our first outing.
Those without their own crop were able to buy juice from donated fruit; and overall demand was so great we used up all our supply of new bottles before the official closing time, even though some people turned up with their own containers. A nice problem to have on our first outing.
Judging by the feedback we received, the first Re-Betchworth Apple Press was a huge success, and a wonderful community event. We’ll be celebrating the apple again in 2023, so watch this space – and maybe start thinking about making your own cider next year.