The ninth Bere Apple Fest took place on Saturday 8^th October and, once again, under favourable weather conditions. The day started grey and damp, but as the afternoon wore on the sun shone down on the event.

The Tavy Tars kicked off the proceedings with a rousing drinking song before, with the Bere Alston Carnival Queen Harriott Smith and her attendants looking on, Richard Burningham MBE, manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, officially opened the Apple Fest by switching on the apple press.

During the morning, Seth and Sally Robertson from Robertson’s Organic Café in Tavistock, judged the entrants in the three categories of the apple pie baking competition. This took some time, as the standard of the pies was very good and there were several Highly Commended awards. The winner of the Adults section was Will York, who won a meal for two at the Robertson’s café. Harriott Smith won the 9 - 11 Years section, while Niamh Mugridge-Guest took the 5 – 8 Years prize.

During the afternoon the apple press was working at full steam to convert the huge amount of apples brought by visitors into apple juice. There were many displays in and around the church hall, including wood turning, using an old-fashioned lathe.

A welcome addition to the Fest was a visit by Dartmoor Border Morris, who gave a couple of displays in the road outside the hall. They are old favourites in the village, as they always attend the Wassailing in the village in January.

The event was completed by the announcement of the winners of the various competitions and the Grand Prize Draw.

2012 is the tenth anniversary of the Fest so look out for details of this next year.

The Tavy & Tamar Apple Group thank all those volunteers and organisations that helped to make this year’s event one of the best.