October the 21st every year, an annual celebration of apple, orchards and local distinctiveness.

Initiated by Common Ground in 1990 it has since been celebrated each year by people organising hundreds of local events. Why not join in? APPLE DAY TURNED 21 ON OCTOBER 21st 2010 - help make it a calendar custom.

Download some IDEAS for ways to celebrate APPLE DAY (Word doc, 2.4MB)

DO YOU NEED MATERIALS for your event? for A4 colour posters to overprint, leaflets, books such as "Apple Games and Customs", postcards, publications.

See:
A HISTORY OF APPLE DAY and PHOTOS FROM EACH YEAR
or visit the VIRTUAL APPLE GALLERY

 Look for old APPLE DAY EVENTS for ideas and contacts, the APPLE DAY POET LAUREATE and more.

2011 The Fruit of Paradise - a Common Ground Music Commission for Apple Day 2011 - available for touring in the years that follow (www.ecocentrics.co.uk)

This lively and unpredictable musical evening takes us on an apple journey from the wild forests of Kazakhstan via what became the Silk Roads, through myth and legend, into the richly laden cider orchards of Avalon and dessert orchards of Kent founded by Henry Vlll. Traditional wassails and tunes are played alongside new ballads and music from composer Karen Wimhurst, singer songwriter Emily Portman and youngsters across the country. Come and discover intriguing tales of culture and genetic diversity as well as the instrumental virtuosity of accordionist Paul Hutchinson, violinist John Hymas, clarinetist Karen Wimhurst, writing from the poet James Crowden and the bewitching voice of ballad singer Emily Portman.

Friday 30th September Bishops Lydiard Village Hall (TA4 3LH) 01823 430421 (Take Art)
Thursday 13th October Thurloxton Village Hall (TA2 8RJ) 01823 413748 (Take Art)
Friday 14th October Sandford Orcas Village Hall (DT9 4RX) 01963 220208 (ArtsReach)
Saturday 15th October Cecil Sharp House London (NW1 7AY) 020 7485 2206 (Apple Day Celebrations)
Thursday 20th October Appley Pavillion (TA21 OHH) 01823 672 675 (Take Art)
Friday 21st October Powerstock Hut (DT6 3TB)  01308 485205 (ArtsReach)
Saturday 22nd October Ibberton Hut (DT 11 OEL) 01258 817555 (ArtsReach)

For more details see www.ecocentrics.co.uk and www.karenwimhurst.co.uk

COMMUNITY ORCHARDS

Offering a way of saving vulnerable old orchards and opportunities to plant new ones. They provide places for quiet contemplation or local festivities. a reservoir of local varieties of fruit and a refuge for wild life. 

 Here you can read about THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ORCHARDS, some THREATENED ORCHARDS, the Common Ground book of Orchards, The Apple Source Book, Community Orchards Handbook and more.

TREE DRESSING

Encouraging the celebration of trees in city and country, in the street, village green - anywhere in the public domain. Tree dressing highlights our responsibility for looking after trees and reminds us of their enormous cultural and environmental importance.

 Here you can find out about how to run your own TREE DRESSING DAY and see some EXAMPLES OF TREE DRESSING.

Apple Day, Community Orchard and Tree Dressing Publications