ORGANISERS of the Trowbridge Apple Festival took a bite of sweet success over the weekend as the annual event attracted hundreds of people to the park.

Over 35 different varieties of apple were on display to well-wishers – many taking part in a whole host of activities including apple bobbing, apple juice making, apple tasting, a game of conkers and a magic show.

With numbers up on last year’s event, organiser Mel Jacob said she couldn’t be happier with how the day went.

“It was fantastic and it didn’t rain thankfully. We had lots of people come to the event and that included new faces but also people who said they had been to all three festivals. No matter what age they were, everyone got stuck into the masses of activities that were on offer,” she said.

“The highlight for us is to see the different kinds of people whether they are in their 80s or noughties – the fact they come along and get stuck in all the activities is just lovely for us to see. I think having relocated to the park that has also helped attract a different variety of people too.”

Last minute preparations included promoting the event in the Shires last Monday with a giant apple tree made from over 150 balloons by Dave Hickory who entertained children on the day.

The much-loved festival is now in its fourth year and is organised by The BIG Community Grow – a project developed by Mrs Jacob and Jacky Good.

Judges were also able to tuck into entries of the coveted apple pie competition sponsored by Leykers Coffee Central.

“We had so many more entries for the apple pie competition than we’ve ever had before and each was blind tasted by our judges,” Mrs Jacob added.

“What we were trying to do was get people baking and make them aware of using British apples and using fair-trade ingredients.

“I think people were able to see all the different types of apples we have and people were able to find out about them through fun activities like apple bobbing.

“One activity which is always popular is the longest apple peel competition and although no one beat Trowbridge’s record, which is still three meters, we are encouraging people to get practising ready for next year’s festival.”

Still paying tribute to the festival’s roots, organisers also gave people the chance to have an exclusive guided tour of the old orchard at Courtfield House by expert fruit grower and gardener Richard Cripps.

They are now working towards next year’s festival which they hope will take place on October 15.