ORGANISERS of the Trowbridge Apple Festival were forced to cancel Saturday’s event because of poor weather, but are determined that next year’s event will go ahead.

The high winds and rain which accompanied Storm Callum meant contractors were unable to safely put up a massive marquee for the day-long event.

The festival was going to feature Garden expert and designer Pippa Greenwood who regularly features on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, who was scheduled to do a talk.

Apple Festival organiser Mel Jacob, of the BIG Community Grow, said: “I have been overwhelmed by all the messages of support we have received, people have been really understanding that health and safety meant it just wasn’t possible.

“People were disappointed but it is nice to see that they enjoy the festival and so I am sure they will be back for the 2019 event which will go ahead like normal.

“This year was supposed to be the 6th year we have run it, and in the other five years we have not had a problem with storms.

“For next year I will have a think about when is best time to get the gazebo up, Pippa Greenwood has agreed to come back next year to do her talk.”

“Luckily Pippa understood that we had to cancel her talk, we are only a small group and we couldn’t afford to subsidise the talk with just a small group of people.

“I am now giving away the apples which we had collected, they do last a little while so if anyone or any schools or groups would like some, please get in touch.”

Call 07745 898902 if you would like to collect apples.

In a social media post, she said: “This has not been an easy decision and a few tears have been shed. The marquee company are unable to put the marquee up safely due to the high winds.

“Even if they could put up tomorrow morning it would not be ready for us to set up the event in time for the event to take place even with a delayed start.

“I am so sorry and hugely appreciate the support and effort you have all given me and the festival. We will be back next year. I will circulate the date as soon as I have it.”

The festival was scheduled to take place in Trowbridge Park with an environmentally-friendly plastic-free theme to save waste.

Mrs Jacob said she had been offered the use of Castle Mead School, where she works, but there was not enough room in the main hall to accommodate everyone.

The Civic and the Town Hall were also fully booked and there was no other town centre venue large enough to take all the stalls and activities planned.

“I am sitting here looking at the weather and feeling absolutely distraught. I really feel quite defeated,” she said.

Mrs Jacob was forced to cancel a visit by garden expert and designer Pippa Greenwood who regularly features on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.

Ms Greenwood was due to give a talk in the marquee as well as answering questions from visitors.

She was also booked to judge the Apple Bake off along with local cake experts Henley’s Cakes and Fairtrade Trowbridge.

But Ms Greenwood has promised to attend next year’s event.

“I have been overwhelmed by all the messages of support we have received, people have been really understanding that health and safety meant it just wasn’t possible.

“People were disappointed but it is nice to see that they enjoy the festival and so I am sure they will be back for the 2019 event which will go ahead like normal.

“This year was supposed to be the 6th year we have run it, and in the other five years we have not had a problem with storms.

“For next year I will have a think about when is best time to get the gazebo up.”

“I am now giving away the apples which we had collected, they do last a little while so if anone or an schools or groups would like some, please get in touch.”

The festival was going to feature Garden expert and designer Pippa Greenwood who regularly features on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, who was scheduled to do a talk.

Mrs Jacob added: “Luckily Pippa understood that we had to cancel her talk, we are only a small group and we couldn’t afford to subsidise the talk with just a small group of people.

“However she has agreed to come back for the 2019 apple festival.”

If you would like some of the apples left over from the cancellation of the festival, please contact Mrs Jacobs on 07745 898902.