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The weather couldn’t have been kinder for our very first Apple Day! The day dawned mellow and misty, soon giving way to gentle autumn sunshine, laughter, and the rich aroma of fresh-pressed apples at Ibsley Village Hall.
Whether you came to press your garden apples, taste rare heritage varieties, or simply enjoy a mug of hot soup in the sunshine, thank you for making it such a memorable celebration of local fruit and community.
The heart of the day was without doubt the live scratting and juicing. Seeing buckets of apples—gathered from gardens and orchards across the area—transformed on the spot into golden, unfiltered nectar was pure magic.
The Verdict: Early tasting panels (including plenty of enthusiastic kids!) declared this year's batch "amazing."
Zero Waste: Nutrient cycling in action! All our leftover apple pomace was collected by Hockey’s Farm to feed their pigs.
BYO Apples: We loved seeing families return in the afternoon with bags harvested from their own trees to press and bottle their very own juice to take home.
Our morning setup included a brief spot of "panic stations" as the juicing gear arrived just in time—along with an unannounced foraging party of local pannage pigs! Drawn by the scent of apples, they trooped over to join the fun. Thanks to a few quick-thinking team members skilled in pig handling, our four-legged guests were gently guided back to nearby common land without a hitch.
Inside the hall, visitors explored a display of more than 30 apple varieties, covering cookers, eaters, and cider apples.
Despite a tricky growing year, we had 15 distinct varieties laid out for taste testing. The crowd-favorite winner of the day? ‘Howgate Wonder’—celebrated for its superb flavor, reliable cropping, and striking appearance.
Throughout the afternoon, master gardeners hosted practical demonstrations on pruning and fruit tree grafting, answering a steady stream of questions from growers keen to get the most from their trees.
Outside in the October sun, local food stalls kept everyone well fueled:
Crow Farm Shop: Sizzling hot burgers and hot dogs.
Roger’s Spicy Squash Soup: A warming autumn favorite.
Purbeck Ice Cream: Towering swirls on crispy cones.
Forallcakes: Dawn’s freshly baked, deliciously moist treats.
Garden Club Plant Stall: Hardy perennials snapped up by savvy gardeners planning ahead for next spring.
The answer is almost certainly yes! The team is taking a short breath while the Ibsley & District Horticultural Society committee reviews the event.
We will announce official details and dates for Ibsley Apple Day 2027 right here on the website as soon as committee meetings wrap up.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped set up, run, and clear away the event so cheerfully, and to everyone who came along to support local heritage fruit!
If you are a local business producing regional food or crafts and might like to get involved please express an interest by contacting idhsinfo19@gmail.com
Gorley Road,
South Gorley,
Ringwood,
Hampshire,
From Ringwood take the A338 Salisbury Road to Ibsley, turn RIGHT into Mockbeggar Lane, by the Old Beams Pub and Church. In 1 mile at X roads turn LEFT.
The hall is down this road about ¼ mile on the RIGHT hand side. There is a notice board outside by the drive to the hall.
