WITH harvest season in full swing, a series of events celebrating the humble apple were held throughout the county this weekend.

One of the largest was at Hanbury Hall and Gardens near Droitwich, which was held on both Saturday and Sunday and saw hundreds of visitors enjoy a range of fruity activities around the National Trust attraction.

More than 150 varieties of apple – all grown in orchards within the site itself – were on show at the event along with a number of crafty and fruit-themed activities.

Younger visitors got the chance to follow a special trail around the gardens and meet a series of fruity characters as well as make and race apple boats along with a number of other activities.

Visitor services manager Rachael Trimm said the event had proven even more successful than she had anticipated.

“We’ve been doing this for the last three years but it’s been bigger and bigger each year,” she said.

“This year is the best and best so far.

“People are having picnics and enjoying it despite the weather not being quite as nice as we hoped.

“It’s really good fun.”

She added volunteering opportunities are always available at the 18th century building and gardens, which is owned and managed by the National Trust. For more information call 01527 821 214 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/hanbury-hall.

Other events included an Applefest at The Chantry School in Martley on Saturday, which saw a dazzling range of apple-themed events, activities and crafts, including a massive display of different varieties.

Geography teacher Bob Allison, who arranged the volunteer-run event, said he was pleased with how popular it had proven.

“We’ve got more than 100 varieties of apple on display,” he said. “And everything is locally grown.

“We’ve been really busy – It’s mostly families and a lot of local people, including lots of ex-students.”

Elsewhere on Saturday people who had grown fruit in their own gardens and allotments were helped to turn them into delicious juice at a harvest fete run by the Arboretum Residents Association.

Community organisation Transition Worcester was on hand at the event at the Westbury Street Community Garden in Worcester with its ever-popular apple press, while visitors also had the chance to sample a range of delicious delights made by members of the community, with all proceeds going to Syrian refugees.

Residents association chairman Ivan Smith said he was amazed by how many different types of food people from the community had made.

“The food we’ve got here is a good representation of the Arboretum – we’ve got Asian food, Polish food and lots of others,” he said.

“It’s all been grown and produced in the Arboretum – it’s amazing how many different things people who live here had made.

“It’s been absolutely flying – we had loads at the start of the day and most of it has gone.”

To find out more about the Arboretum Residents Association visit thearboretum.org.uk.