IT SEEMS Pershore resident Mickey Pincher has a genuine thirst for life. He’s been an IT guru, he’s worked in repertory theatres, written a play and composed songs, he turned his attentions to the ancient occupation of mole catching and he also makes cider.

And with the English apple season nearly upon us, he is keen to share his expertise and resources and help local people turn the bounty from their private and community orchards into the extremely quaffable alcoholic fermented apple juice we all know as cider.

Mickey, who lives in Broad Street, started making cider about 10 years ago. He said being a mole-catcher meant going into people’s gardens to do his job and he often spotted the lovely apples of Worcestershire and Herefordshire going to waste.

Bit by bit he acquired the necessary cider-making equipment, which he installed in his cellar, was able to collect up unwanted apples and turn them into cider.

He said one of the problems about owning apple trees and orchards is that people get lots of fruit all at once and often too much for them to use. And, of course, not everyone wants to invest in cider-making equipment.

To solve the problem and help use those otherwise wasted apples, Mickey has created a Cider Cart - carrying cider-making equipment - which he will tow behind his precious green and gold painted Morris Minor to any garden or orchard where the owners want to turn natures gifts into cider.

He will even organise cider-making parties for local communities where everyone can drink up the atmosphere of this traditional process together with suitable entertainment and food. His Cider Cart comes equipped with a guitar and he is happy to add the vocals to create an Olde English ambience.

“If there is a community orchard, I will organise a cider-making party with food, music and things for the kids. It is about the community members doing something together which has an element of education and physical activities,” he said.

If anyone is interested in turning their own apples into cider or having a cider-making party, you can contact Mickey by calling 01386 561278, 07899006952 or emailing mickeythemoler@gmail.com

He said: “Making cider involves destruction and creation and it is pleasingly messy. It is also a combination of science and art.”

Different types of apples and the use of specific yeasts make each tipple unique and Mickey says the cider can be produced to suit particular tastes.

“This equipment I have got works perfectly. Using the science, you can make a cider very drinkable.”

Mickey said it is possible to make cider in three weeks but traditionalists don’t like it. He said it is better to keep it a bit longer and cider made this autumn would be good for drinking at Christmas.

“I have had cider which was five years old and it was like drinking champagne. It was cool and refreshing,” said Mickey.