A Seasonal Celebration of English Apples and Cider in the Herefordshire Parishes of the Marcle Ridge

MAY 6^th/ MAY 7^th 2007
BLOSSOMTIME IN PUTLEY - A SPRINGTIME CELEBRATION

As the flowers set for this year’s apples, the cider made from last autumn’s crop becomes ready to taste...

BLOSSOMTIME

A UNIQUE BLEND OF ORCHARDS IN BLOSSOM AND TRADITIONAL CIDER TASTING

Here is a special springtime opportunity to enjoy the lovely countryside and orchards of the Marcle Ridge area of Herefordshire, where local orchards are famous both for their cider fruit and their dessert and culinary fruit.

The events are based around a grand cider tasting in Putley Village Hall, where you will find an array of traditional ciders and perries from Herefordshire and surrounding counties, together with some of the cidermakers for you to meet.

Blossomtime is not just for cider enthusiasts, there are also apple juices to taste. You can enjoy a walk through the orchards around Putley, with or without a guide, then refresh yourselves with excellent homemade food.

Enjoy the flowers in the gardens of Old Castle and at Aylton Church, where you can also find out more about Aylton past and present.

STOP PRESS

Small scale cidermaking specialist Andrew Lea (of www.cider.org.uk) is going to give a talk entitled “The cider revival and the science behind it”, at 11.30am on Sunday 6th May at Dragon Orchard Farm, Putley, HR8 2RG. All welcome - please come along.

GRAND CIDER TASTING AND TEAS - Putley Village Hall

Sunday 6^th May 2pm to 6pm and Monday 7^th May 12noon to 5pm

Cider, perry and apple juice tasting £1.50 for 6 tokens on door.

Apple teas will be served in the village hall.

Paul Hand of ‘Bees and Trees’ will be with us on both days with fruity activities.

Both Days

Aylton Church - Aylton Past and Present. A pictorial display of Aylton through the ages, in this special church which will also be decorated with local flowers. 10am - 4pm.

Open Garden at Old Castle. Visit the beautiful grounds. Refreshments (am only) and plant sale. Entry £2. Proceeds to Aylton Church. 10am - 4pm.

Special events
Sunday May 6^th

9.30am. Marcle Ridge Walk. 7 mile walk along the Marcle Ridge and through the orchards of Putley, led by David Walker. Steep in places. No dogs please. Donations welcome. Meet Ridge Car Park (GR631346).

11.30am to 1pm Guided walk through the orchards and fields of Putley, leading to Aylton where lunch will be available (separate charge). Meet at Putley Village Hall. Charge: £1.50 adult, children free.

From 12.30pm. Ploughman’s lunch, Court Farm, Aylton. A fine selection of local breads, cheeses and pickles. £5/£3 (adult/child). Proceeds to Church.

Monday May 7^th

10.30am to 12 noon A guided walk through the orchards and fields of Putley. Meet at Putley Village Hall. Charge £1.50 adult, children free.

From 12noon Delicious lunches will be available at Putley Village Hall, proceeds to the village hall.

3pm Leominster Morris will dance at Putley Village Hall. (Also 2pm at Royal Oak, Much Marcle.)

Further afield

Weston's Cider, Much Marcle
Open all weekend, 10am to 4pm. Guided tours £4.00 per person, 11am, 2.30pm. Dray-rides. Visit the Bottle Museum and Garden. Light snacks served.

Lyne Down Cider, Much Marcle.
Open all weekend 10am to 6pm.

Little Verzons Fruit Farm From 9.30am. Coffee shop, farm shop and plants (A438 towards Ledbury)

Nearby pubs: Hopton Arms, The Verzon

Woolhope: Butchers Arms, Crown Inn

Much Marcle: Royal Oak, Scrumpy House, Slip Tavern, Walwyn Arms

In Ledbury,
Mrs Muffins Teashop and Café Sez make use of our Big Apple recipe book.

For Further Information

If you want to know more about this programme then please telephone (01531) 670544.