Bramley Apple Festival goes Global

The fame of Southwell’s Bramley Apple Festival has spread worldwide. When this year’s Festival takes place on Saturday 21st October guests of honour include authors from Japan, where the Bramley has its own fan club, and the USA.

Japanese author Sakuko Kitano features the Bramley in several of her books while American author Susan Allen’s latest children’s book is based on the origins of the Bramley.

Valued sponsorship from Nottinghamshire County Council, Southwell Town Council, Denby and other supporters enables the Festival to get better every year.

Events range from apple-themed activities at the National Trust’s Southwell Workhouse to the popular Festival of Food and Drink with cookery demonstrations from 11am and 30 stalls representing the best of local produce in historic Southwell Minster, 10am to 4pm.

A display of apples from John Hempsall’s Heritage Orchard can be seen in the Minster and the Archbishop’s Palace and Education Centre will host apple-related children’s crafts and trails around the garden.

The WI’s Annual Apple Pie Competition, as well as their own Apple Day stalls and refreshments will take place in the Bramley Centre from 1 to 3pm. The local library is also organising an apple-themed Big Draw, 10am to 3pm, as well as the annual Bramley Apple Painting Competition and Exhibition and will host prize-giving ceremonies for the Painting and Poetry Competitions on Sunday 22nd October at 4pm.

The prize-giving ceremony for the WI competitions will take place in the Bramley Centre on the Saturday afternoon when visitors can also witness the crowning of this year’s Bramley Apple King, Queen, Prince and Princess.

Visitors can celebrate Clog Dancing at the Workhouse, have a go at creating the longest apple peel, follow an apple trail and listen to stories from the Workhouse Storytellers, 12 to 4pm.

Back in the town visitors can stroll through the streets to admire the many apple-themed window displays. There will also be performances of music and dance by the Lord Conyers Morris Men and the Minster School Ceilidh Band.

The Festival will also feature a special Bramley Race at Southwell Racecourse on Sunday 22nd October.

For more information contact the Tourist Information Centre, tel 01636 819038 or visit www.visitsouthwell.com