The Big Apple: 3^rd & 4^th May 2015 Putley & Aylton.

Spring sunshine over the past week has brought on the blossom, the first haze of pink. This year promises to be a great year for blossom, and there will be plenty to enjoy around the orchards of Putley and Aylton this weekend. The start of spring coincides with the new season’s cider and perry, and 170 entries have been made to this year’s Big Apple Cider and Perry Trials. Judging will take place on Saturday, and by the time the public are admitted on Sunday to the Grand Cider Tasting at Putley Village Hall, this year’s winners will be known. Writer and broadcaster Pete Brown, specialist in ‘making people thirsty’ and author of World’s Best Cider, will present the prizes.

Artisan ciders and perries will be available to taste and buy on Sunday 2–6pm and Monday 12–5pm. A special collection of portraits of local cider and perry makers will be on view. The exhibition, ‘Our Common Bond’, brings together paintings by Jean Nowell, friend and mentor to many aspiring cider makers. Jean built up her enviable reputation as a cider and perry maker under the label ‘Lyne Down Cider and Perry’ which she started in the 1980s with her late husband Terry. She has encouraged many on their cider making journey, including some of the best known craft producers in the Ledbury area.

The first orchard walk will leave Putley Village Hall at 9.30am on Sunday. Ploughman’s lunches and home-made teas will be provided by Aylton Church, Tarrington Brownies, Putley Parish Hall and Putley WI.

For a full programme of events please go to www.bigapple.org.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigappleherefordshire

Twitter: @TheBigAppleHfd

Congratulations to Ledbury ‘Real Bread’ baker Peter Cooks Bread for landing the top prize of overall winner of the Tiptree World Bread Awards 2014 for their category winning Ciabatta. Their signature loaf, ‘Cider Crumb’, won a Bronze at the awards and is made from combining light malthouse and white flour with apples and Tom Oliver’s Dry Cider and they also won Gold for their Blackberry Focaccia.

Chris Newenham of Tiptree presents Peter Cook with his trophy and prize as the Tiptree World Bread Awards 2014 champion

Peter Cooks Bread bake at the Hop Pocket at Bishops Frome and their bread is available at Ceci Paolo and the Market House delis in Ledbury, and at The Nest – Hand Made Scotch Egg Co – on the Hereford Road. For anyone who would like to find out more about Real Bread or try their hand at making it, they are starting bread-making workshops in November.

Author: Ledbury Food Group

Blossomtime means cider time!

Ledbury Baker wins World Bread Award 2014