To celebrate the British love for the scrumptious apple, East Cambridgeshire District Council and Watergull Orchards are organising the thirteenth Ely Apple Festival.

Visitors to Palace Green in Ely on Saturday 19 October between 10am – 4pm will be able to take part in a whole host of events such as:

• Apple identification and display – experts will be on site capable of categorising the species of fruit simply by sight
• The longest peel competition, apple and spoon races and an apple shy
• There will also be a hog roast, apple related food from burgers to bangers served with apple sauce and a wide selection of apple juices and ciders.
• A variety of stalls containing everything from rural crafts to live folk music and apple related wares for sale.
• There will be poetry recitals and Morris dancing
• As well as woodturning demonstrations, there will be the chance to see how to throw some simple apple dishes together on the cookery stalls.

All these and many other activities are being put together as part of National Apple Day - to honour the great tradition of British apples as they continue to make a comeback in homes across the country.

Tracey Harding, Team Leader Tourism and Town Centre Services at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "It is staggering to think that the Ely Apple Festival is now in its thirteenth year. From the original idea of Watergull Orchards to have an apple celebration, our event has now developed into one of the best festivals in the area. The day attracts so many people - from those intrigued by what you can cook with an apple to those who have been practising all year to win the longest peel competition.

"As usual, we will have experts from East of England Apples and Orchard Project who will be in residency to identity any apples that people bring along. Apparently, it is easier to identify if you can bring a long part of the stalk and/or leaf as well as the actual apple so if you have been mystified as to what kind of apples were growing in your garden all these years, bring a sample along. With the lovely summer we have had – it should be a bumper year for apples so come along on the 19 October to celebrate."

Further information; please contact Ely Tourist Information Centre on 01353 662062, www.visitely.org.uk or via @visitely.