THE Apple Fair on Stokenham Village Green saw 160 people celebrating the apple harvest.

The event brought together three community orchards - Chillington Great Wood, Beeson Village Green and Stokenham Village Green. And there were many big sacks of apples all grown at the three orchards, collected by children from Stokenham Primary School and Stokenham Girl Guides, which were pressed into fresh juice available to sample on the day.

People also brought along apples from their own orchards, and took their juice home with them.

Pete Moore, one of the organisers, said: ‘It was great that there were so many children of all ages there washing, pressing and mushing the apples.

‘It’s wonderful for them to see the whole process - from tree to juice.’

The event was supported by Orchard Link, a Devon-based non-profit organisation who have been working to address the rapid decline of traditional orchards.

There was also a traditional story-teller, Sara Hurley, archery - with apples as targets, a barbecue and crepes.

Next year, organisers want to build on it and turn it into an annual celebration of orchards, expanding the event with more kids’ activities so they can learn about the wealth of resources we have.

The fair is supported by the Growing Community Orchards Project, Stokenham Village Community Association, Stokenham Parish Council, Forest and Beach, Beeson Community Orchard Group and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Pete added: ‘We’d like to thank Growing Community Orchards for allowing us to look to the future, Nicky Bailey, the AONB projects officer and the people of the parish for coming out and supporting the event.’