The Big Apple wins award
Each year during National Cider Month in October the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) gives the coveted "Pomona" award to a group, individual or business that works toward establishing real cider and perry as a premium product.
In 2007 the award was presented to The Big Apple Association, "a Herefordshire based group dedicated to promoting English orchards, apples and cider".
Jean Nowell receives the award from John Lewis of CAMRA
The Big Apple Association
Twice a year the parishes of the Marcle Ridge celebrate their heritage of apples and pears, cider and perry.
National Moth Night
The Big Apple Association teamed up with Butterfly Conservation to organise a Big Moth Night event at Awnells Farm in the night of 7th/8th June 2008.
Blossomtime
In Early May, The Big Apple Association hold Blossomtime, a unique blend of activities in and around orchards combined with traditional cider and perry tasting. Alongside this are The Annual Cider and Perry Trials. We had about 50% more entries this year than last year so it was an interesting Saturday afternoon!
A reporter from The Guardian also visited as part of an item on Herefordshire. Her article is available at Guardian On-line.
Looking ahead
In Autumn the harvest is celebrated whilst pressing the fruit for the next year's vintage is under way. This event now attracts hundreds of visitors every year - BBC Radio 4's Food Programme has even devoted a whole programme to it. In 2008 it will be held on October 11th and 12th.
Marcher Apple Network (MAN)
The Big Apple Association works closely with the Marcher Apple Network, who kindly provided a website service for us over the past few years. MAN is a group of apple and pear enthusiasts dedicated to the revival and preservation of old varieties of apples and pears.