THIS year’s Trowbridge Apple Festival will not be taking place in the town park on Saturday (Oct 17) after being cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Sadly it’s the second time in its eight-year history that the event has been called off – in 2018 it was cancelled because of the high winds which swept in with Storm Callum.

This year there is a silver lining - the organisers and other contributors are putting around 20 videos to watch on YouTube as part of a virtual online event, and we have selected some photographs from past years to show you again.

The videos include music, recipes, activities and apple orchard tours. People are also being asked to take part by sharing videos and pictures of their apple trees and apple baking.

Organisers The BIG Community Grow asked local food producers and environmental groups to share videos about their work to be released during the Virtual Apple Festival, starting on Saturday October 17.

They will showcase some of the well-loved activities from the festival.

Mel Jacob, chairman of The BIG Community Grow, said: “It’s such a shame that we cannot put this wonderful event on for our visitors and community this year.

“In previous years it attracted hundreds of people but we felt the risk would be too high to the public

“There will also be a song from last year’s festival sung by Barry Lane and The Fridge Mechanics.

“But it’s nice because this year we have got things that people don’t normally get to see. It gives them a slightly different insight as to what goes on.”

Working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Trowbridge BIG Community Grow volunteers plan to plant some apple trees in the Biss Nature Park near Castle Mead this autumn.

There will also be a competition where schools and residents can win an apple tree to plant in their garden or school grounds.

Mrs Jacob added: “2020 has been such a challenging year, we want to try and give people something lovely to do like planting an apple tree.”

Details of how to take part and share videos will be on Facebook and Instagram – search for Trowbridge Apple Festival. The 2021 event is already planned for next October.