Marlborough went apple crazy today as the town celebrated its annual Apple Day event and showed off the rare Wiltshire apple breeds saved for generations to come.
Cornet players Stephanie Browning and Harry Austen from St John’s Academy played a welcome fanfare as the clock at St Mary’s struck 11 – and on to the town hall entrance stepped Mayor Edwina Fogg and her entourage.
She reminded an audience of supporters that it was her husband, Nick Fogg, twice mayor before her, who had originally called a meeting of people interested in creating a Marlborough community orchard.
This was taken up by inspirational Apple Day founder Philippa Davenport, proudly standing alongside the mayor, who announced: “I was so caught up in the vision that I joined the founding committee.”
“Today is Marlborough’s annual celebration of orchard fruits in general, apples in particular, especially those rare Wiltshire varieties.”
“This time last year many of you joined in a display and tasting of these rare Wiltshire apples, and an impressive 91 pledges were made to buy them so that the Marlborough community orchard team could arrange for them to be grafted.”
Well, they have arrived. They are doing a tour of the High Street in a trailer as we speak. So a big thank you to everyone who sponsored a tree and to Barters Nursery for grafting them.
“Once planted, Marlborough can truthfully boast that we have saved their gene bank for our children’s children to inherit.”
And she added: “If you missed out last year, you can still share in this important and delicious fruit festival. Lots of extra saplings were produced and you can buy them here today.”
“This time next week I shall be planting the first tree of our royal diamond jubilee plantation up on the Common.”
“So happy Apple Day everyone…happy Apple Day.”
The crowd responded Happy Apple Day amid warm applause, figures showing that more than 1,000 people, many of them families, attended the event.
The Mayor then cut the red ribbon to open up the displays upstairs and downstairs in the town hall, special entertaining games and events for children among the enticements.
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Marlborough Apple Day 2012 Art Competition Results
ART CATEGORY A(Age 11 and under)
Phoebe CazalyA31 For painting skills. Highly Commended
Tom HoleA30 For drawing skills. Highly Commended
Lawrence Bett-HewittA03 Apple and a half Winner Excellent composition – well executed in a difficult medium.
ART CATEGORY B(Age 12 – 16)
Gabby ChurchB06 Little old apple tree Highly Commended For attention to detail and the creation of ‘atmosphere’.
Isabella Hutton B05 Fruit vine Winner For impressive use of colour
ART CATEGORY C(Adult 17 and over)
Robin Buchanan-DunlopC18 “Autumn” Highly Commended Well designed composition. The apples are all individual and well drawn
Carolyn DavisC05 Apple Noggin Dobbin Highly Commended This is a good idea with a lovely sense of fun.
Clare BickfordC09 “Take Three” Winner This is a well designed painting with a lovely use of colour that makes each apple very individual. The apples and their shadows are well observed. sponsored by Sheepdrove Organic Farm supporting local foods for local people |
