Hitchin Apple Day raises juicy amount for Triangle Garden

People of all ages queued up in Old Market Square to taste and buy heritage and modern apple and pear varieties that are rarely found in shops and supermarkets. The huge selection of fruit on offer was so appealing that there was none left by the end of the day.

Among the apples on sale at the charity’s annual event were Jupiter, Ashmeads Kernel, Ribston Pippin, Adams Permain, Blenheim Orange, Howgate Wonder, Red Devil and Rosemary Russet as well as Conference and Concorde pears.

There was a gloriously juicy selected of fruit on offer at Hitchin Apple Day. Image: Mary Barber (Image: Mary Barber)

Alongside the produce, which came from Cam Valley Orchards in Meldreth, there was apple juice made from donated local apples, jams and jellies from fruit grown at the charity’s forest garden and allotments in Ransom’s Rec in the town, plants, Triangle Garden’s apple cookbook and greetings cards and fun activities for children.

There were also stalls promoting wildlife, sustainability and the environment, which included Friends of the Earth, Hitchin Nature Network, Plastic Free Hitchin, RSPB, What if Craftivists, Zuckermaus Bakery, Brocklebys Pies, Pings Pickles, Yom and Apple Cottage Cider.

Hitchin Apple Day raised £450 for Triangle Community Garden (Image: Mary Barber)

Triangle Garden’s project manager Liz McElroy said she was delighted with the turnout and the funds raised, which will go towards the charity’s community projects.

The charity was set up 22 years ago to help people of all ages and abilities lead more fulfilling lives, through gardening and contact with the natural world.

Shoppers enjoyed perusing the goods on offer at Hitchin Apple Day (Image: Mary Barber)

It does this through various social, therapeutic horticulture and health and wellbeing projects, which include for people with learning disabilities and those facing isolation in the community.

Among the activities are growing food and flowers, tending plants, creating wildlife habitats and making permanent garden features.

Triangle also runs community gardening events open to all, once a month on weekends, and various events, workshops, walks and talks throughout the year as well as a weekly garden club, which welcomes new volunteers.

For more information about the Triangle Community Garden go to trianglegarden.org.

Stock sold out at Hitchin Apple Day (Image: Mary Barber)