HEREFORDSHIRE’S centuries-old cider-making tradition will be celebrated when the Big Apple Harvestime returns to Much Marcle this month.

The annual event will take place across seven venues in and around the village on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, giving visitors the chance to see how apples and pears are transformed into cider and perry.

Herefordshire’s association with orchards stretches back centuries. Writing in 1664, diarist John Evelyn described the county as having become “in a manner an entire orchard”.

By the 1720s, writer Daniel Defoe recorded that wagonloads of Herefordshire cider were being transported in barrels to London, despite the poor condition of the roads at the time.

That tradition remains a major part of the county today, with apples transported to large producers including Westons and Bulmers, alongside a thriving community of smaller craft cider and perry makers.

The Big Apple was founded 37 years ago to promote those producers in and around Much Marcle and now holds two major events each year.

Its Blossomtime celebration takes place in May, while Harvestime marks the autumn apple and pear harvest.

At Woodredding Farm, visitors will be able to watch apples and pears being pressed, with the resulting juice stored in barrels to ferment over the winter.

The weekend will also feature talks and tastings, guided walks and live music, including performances from a ukulele band travelling from Somerset.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in cheese and cider pairing as part of a packed programme celebrating the county’s orchards, producers and traditional methods.

Activities will be spread across seven venues around Much Marcle throughout the weekend.

Full details of the Harvestime programme, participating venues and activities are available through the Big Apple website.

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