Apple Day draws a crowd at Transition Town Forres
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MORE than 50 people enjoyed a community event at Transition Town Forres (TTF) on Saturday, October 30.
‘Apple Day’ celebrated one of the country’s most popular fruits by putting home grown crops to good use.
The gathering also featured a raffle for a special prize, games including a scavenger hunt, as well as home-made soup, bread, savoury dishes and apple desserts.
TTF spokeswoman, Kelly Warren, confirmed attendees turned up for the opening at 10am and by the afternoon there were numerous adults and children inside the Environmental Education and Healthy Living Centre as well as outside in the community garden.
She said: “They were juicing apples, eating sweet and savory apple dishes and chatting! A good time was had by all.
“We juiced over 50 litres of freshly-picked apples from a nearby orchard, along with smaller personal batches brought in. We still have loads of apples left, so TTF will be doing another round of juicing!”
A small hand press and a large Homesteader loaned by Newbold House were used for the task on Saturday.
TTF is a local charity working to encourage sustainable, low-carbon lifestyles in the area.
The event invited people to visit and see for themselves what goes on at TTF’s centre and gardens while enjoying local seasonal produce.
A raffle for a TTF garden box - a one metre square growing box that can produce up to £100-worth of food over the growing season - was won by Lisa Wardlaw of Broom of Moy, who attended with her family.
She said: “We went to Apple Day as an experience for our boys after a neighbour gave us a box of apples. Everyone was really welcoming and helpful and the boys were so chuffed to make their own juice themselves.
“I’m a very amateur gardener but I plan to use the box as a family activity.
“Fingers crossed, we’ll have some success growing veg’!”
TTF aims to build an outdoor pizza oven and shelter by the end of the year.
The charity also aims to make an announcement regarding a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of the Common Good site at Bogton from Moray Council soon. TTF hopes a CAT will help the charity secure the long-term future of the site. Founded in 2008 as part of the Transition Towns Movement, TTF runs projects including a community garden, free cooking classes, wellbeing classes, social events and interest group cafés.
