IF you’re thinking of taking part in the apple pie bake-off at the Trowbridge Apple Festival you have until 12 noon on Saturday to get your entry in.

The annual competition at the one-day festival is generally hotly contested, with the winner taking home the Mary Pearce Cup and lots of kudos.

The Apple Festival is a free event and invites children and adults to take part in lots of free activities from apple pressing and tasting, to the longest peel competition and crafts and games including the ever-popular archery game.

Other activities include an apple marble run, apple crumble making, and conkers.

Organiser Mel Jacob, of the Trowbridge BIG Community Grow project, said: “There lots to do and live music, food and drink, as well as traditional games.

“Bakers are invited to come and enter their apple pies and cakes in the Great Apple Bake-off – this is judged at 12pm so bring your entries along by 12 noon to take part.”

The Mary Pearce Cup is awarded to the winner and commemorates Mary Pearce, who was the first judge of the competition in 2012 and former owner of Courtfield House.

The free event has been taking place in Trowbridge every October since 2012, with the exception of one year for the Covid pandemic and one when Storm Imogen stopped play. 

The first few years were in the grounds of Courtfield House in Pole Barn Road, and then moved to the Trowbridge town park. 

After problems with inclement weather, the event moved to Emmanuel’s Yard, it’s home for the past two years.

Organisers have been collecting apples from around the area for the last few weeks and the festival will display a wide range of varieties.

“Despite the poor harvest this year we still have lots of great apples for people to taste as well as lots of great stalls and fun activities for people to enjoy’ said Mel. 

“Emmanuel’s Yard is a great venue with plenty of shelter if the weather if bad so we hope people will come out and support the event.”

The apple festival is being held from 11am to 3pm at Emmanuel’s Yard off Church Street,and  includes crafts and stalls featuring printing, lantern-making and basket-making.

Hayley Bell, from Trowbridge Town Council, will also be attending to sign up people wishing to take part in the four-week Beat the Street challenge.