A HISTORIC orchard that hosted the inaugural Trowbridge Apple Festival will not be used this year as the landowner has said it is off limits.

For the last six years, the festival has used the Courtfield House orchard, off Polebarn Road, for apple juice making, cooking apples, exploring its natural diversity and having all sorts of entertainment there.

In recent years Trowbridge Park has been the core base, but the orchard has still been used for the festival. However, Ashford Homes, who bought the land last November, have said that the festival on October 13 cannot take place in the orchard.

One of the festival founder’s, Mel Jacob, said: “It is a shame because the best place to have an apple festival is in an orchard.”

“We have used the orchard every year since the festival began but in recent years Trowbridge Park has been the main base.

“Ashford Homes said that it would be closed off because of vandalism concerns. It is such a wonderful orchard, with so many historic trees, so it is a shame we cannot use it.

“It will still be a great event in Trowbridge Park. We have special guest Pippa Greenwood coming along, on top of apple pressing and tasting, games, entertainment and live demonstrations. If people want to help out or give me apples for it, please get in touch.”

More than 1,200 signatures have been collected to preserve the orchard since developers Ashford Homes applied to build 21 flats and houses there.

Ashford Homes did not respond to a request for a comment by the time the Wiltshire Times went to press.

Email melaniejacob@blueyonder.co.uk about the apple festival.