2011 Sees the launch of a number of events to mark the "Herefordshire Year in the Orchard ". This has been organised to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the publication of Sir Thomas Andrews Knights Pomona Herefordiensis, the first colour illustrated Pomona (Book of Apples) in the world.
Thomas Andrew Knight, born at Wormsley Grange in Herefordshire and living at Downton Castle, was an 18th century horticulturalist, who helped to develop many of the fruit and vegetable varieites that we still eat today. He later went on to become president of the London Horticultural Society (which later became the Royal Horticultural Society). Find out more on the CiderRoute site.
We will have an event each month throughout the year, and more details will appear on this page as we get closer! Our current list of events and attendance at shows is as follows:
| DATE | Description | Venue | Cost |
NEXT EVENT
Saturday 10th December
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 Christmas Decorations from the Orchard workshop
Saturday 10th December. 10am - 1pm.
Hear about the folklore of our traditional festive trees and plants as Angela Boyden, a talented local artist who is now working out of Trumpet Corner, just around the corner from Dragon Orchard, will be here to help you make a beautiful door wreath from materials collected around the orchard.
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Dragon Orchard
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Bookings only – cost £20 to include teas/coffees.
To book call Ann on 01531 670071 or email
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| Past Herefordshrie Year in the Orchard Events |
| (Sat 18th February) |
The Wonder Of Putley - Walk, Talk and Tasting - Read what we did here! |
Putley Village Hall |
Free |
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(Sat 12th March – 10.30am)
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A History of Orcharding in Putley walk and grand re-opening of Once Upon a Tree’s shop at Dragon Orchard
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Dragon Orchard
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Free
Click here for directions
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Saturday 16th April 10am-4pm
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Photography in the Orchard workshop with Richard Crompton – further information here.
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Dragon Orchard
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Bookings only through Once Upon a Tree – £80 per person to include lunch. Download the Course Info Sheet & Booking Form here.
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| Mon 2nd May |
Beekeeping workshop - "A Bit of a Buzz" with David Pealing as part of The Big Apple Blossomtime 2011 – informal talks at 2.30 & 3.30 to give a view from a beginners perspective, including hands-on opportunity to build up an (empty!) hive. |
Dragon Orchard |
Free - just turn up! |
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Sunday 12th June
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Open Farm as part of the LEAF Open Farm Sunday scheme
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Dragon Orchard
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Free – programme tbc
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Thursday 23rd June 9.45am-4.30pm
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“The Jewel in Wulvia’s Crown” - Putley Orchards Walk as part of Herefordshire Walking Festival. Lunch at The Crown, Woolhope included
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Dragon Orchard
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Bookings only, through Herefordshire Walking Festival booking office
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Thursday 7th July 10.30am-4.30pm
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“A Day in the Orchard” – As part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival - Chris Fairs, Norman Stanier & David Walker are your hosts for a day of poetry, including lunch and a Haiga workshop. David’s photographs will be exhibited in Dragon House.
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Dragon Orchard
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Bookings only, through Poetry Festival booking office - £20.00 to include tea, coffee & lunch. Places are limited, so please book early.
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Thursday 4th August 10am-3pm
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 Children's Orchard Day – orchard-related activities to keep the children entertained, while Mum has tea and cake in the orchard!
- Orchard Walks
- Fun & Games in the orchard
- Help create an Orchard Mural for display in our shop
- Learn to identify different bee species with our bee expert
- Take part in our blind apple juice tasting
- Photo competition - bring a camera and get snapping - lots of good photo opportunites! To be judged by the public, with prizes of apple juice and more!
- Bring a picnic to enjoy under the trees (or under cover if wet!)
- Teas, coffees and cakes available.
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Dragon Orchard
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Free – refreshments available to purchase
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| Saturday 3rd September |
‘Using Orchard Produce’ workshop – turning plums and greengages into jams and chutneys for the winter pantry, with Annie, our award-winning preserver! 10am-4pm. Teas and coffees included – bring a packed lunch. |
Dragon Orchard |
Bookings only – £40 per person, limited places. To book, please call Annie on 01531 670071 or
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| Friday 9th to Sunday 11th September |
Ludlow Food Festival
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Ludlow
(click for details)
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Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th September
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Abergavenny Food Festival |
Abergavenny |
See website |
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th September
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RHS Autumn Show at Malvern
Featuring Gino D'Acampo and The River Cottage Team
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Three Counties Showground |
Adult £15 |
| Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October |
Big Apple, Much Marcle
The seven parishes of the Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire celebrate their heritage of orchards, apples and pears, cider and perry.
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In and around Much Marcle |
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| Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th October |
Hergest Croft "Celebration of Apples"
Apple displays by RHS Wisley, Frank P Matthews and Marcher Apple Network. Apple identification & tasting, Local Apple Produce. Demonstations of cultivation, talks on the Heritage of Apples.
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Hergest Croft |
Adults £6, RHS members free |
| Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd October |
Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival - Simple, natural and local food.
In the Year of the Orchard, the Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival returns - 10.00am to 4.30pm each day.
|
Hereford Race Course |
Adult: £7.00
Under 14: £4.00
Under 3: Free |
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Thursday 27th October
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 Half term Children's Orchard Day – orchard-related activities to keep the children entertained, while Mum has tea and cake in the orchard!
- Orchard Walks
- Fun & Games in the orchard
- Apple Tasting Competition
- Art & Craft activities with local artist Alice Arnold
- Apple Bobbing
- See apples being pressed and taste the juice direct from the press.
- Bring a picnic to enjoy under the trees (or under cover if wet!)
- Teas, coffees and cakes available
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Dragon Orchard
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Free – refreshments available to purchase
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Saturday 5th November.
10am - 3pm
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 Cider-making Day – See the press in action and hear all about the cider-making process, taste juice from the press and ciders at various stages in fermentation.
Our award-winning cider maker Simon Day will be on hand to answer questions on all aspects of cider making and apple juice production.
The Little Cider Press Company will be here to offer a juicing service – bring your own apples or buy some from us. Contact Deborah or Nigel to book a time-slot on 01531 670 713.
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Dragon Orchard
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Free - just turn up!
Charges apply for pressing service - £40 per 25L container includes container and airlock (£35 with own container) Bookings only for pressing service.
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Where we've been in 2010:
24th April Tasting of our ciders at the Green Cow Farm Shop & Cafe nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire see http://www.thegreencow.co.uk/contact_us.asp
2nd & 3rd May Big Apple Blossomtime - right next door to us in Putley - come and see us and lots of other cider producers and enjoy the blossom around the orchards of the Marcle Ridge. We are hosting a special poetry walk "Orchard Days" around Dragon Orchard 11am - 12:30pm on Sunday and Monday (£1.50 per person), as well as our own shop we will have a stall at Putley village hall with the other producers, and the competition ciders.
22nd May Ledbury Green Fair
12th & 13th May Hellens Garden Festival in Much Marcle. Wonderful old manor house in extensive grounds, with a plethora of garden related exhibitors, talks and tours.
16th - 20th June BBC Gardeners World Live / Summer Good Food Show at the NEC Birmingham along side Visit Herefordshire / Visit Worcestershire.
18th - 20th June Three Counties Show in Malvern in the Severn Hall with the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association in the Regional Food & Drink Hall. A big Cider Show along side a big Cheese Show - sounds pretty good to me!
11th July Ledbury Food & Drink Festival and Town Party part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival.
23rd - 25th July Welland Steam Rally A weekend of vintage vehicles of all shapes and sizes, with an excellent "Farmers Food Market" marquee. Even if you don't think you like steam engines you'll have a good time - just ask Hannah - she ended up driving one last year!
5th - 7th September Speciality Food Fair in Olympia (Trade Show) we will be with the Heart of England Fine Foods stand.
10th - 12th September Ludlow Food Festival A really good food festival, well organised with lots of different producers and talks, all in the splendid grounds of Ludlow Castle.
25th - 26th September Malvern Autumn Show Food, drink, gardening, and the RHS flower show.
9th - 10th October Big Apple Blossomtime - With apple displays and tastings, lots of cider making demonstrations at Hellens Manor and around Much Marcle.
23rd - 24th Flavours of Herefordshire Fantastic showcase for all that Herefordshire has to offer in food and drink. Held at Hereford race course. This year the Hairy Bikers return! (Have a look at the video of the Flavours of Herefordshire 2009 Food Festival here)
27th - 28th November Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre Where we all dress up and have a very merry time!
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