The ORCS team and volunteers pressed the village apples which had been collected over the previous week and made over 3,800 litres of apple juice – some sold on the day and the rest stored to make their ‘Old Chopper’, ‘Strumpet’ and ‘the Doctor’ cider and ‘Vinegar Witch’ cider vinegar for next year. This use of the surplus apples donated in the village and the proceeds generated from the sales of cider going back into various community projects, local charities and to CHASE and Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospices is the ultimate in recycling! Even the apple mush is collected by a local farmer to feed his livestock! Around the pressing were 28 stalls, including the Epsom Spinning ladies, Gilbert’s Owls, Linda’s Willow Basket weaving and The Pilgrim Morris Men. Local associations, including the Friendly Club, Scouts, Youth Club, Pre-School, Primary School, Pennthorpe School and the Book Exchange, all manned stalls to raise funds. Also joining in the fun were the West Sussex Rangers, Sussex Charmer cheese, Sussex Faire chutneys, Slinfold Honey, Baskets in Bloom, Tom Caygill’s Forge, Walking sticks, Bowen therapy and massage, Hannah’s Homemade cards and ‘retro’ Simple Honest Goods. The Raffle Stall raised £257 for Macmillan Nurses. There were plenty of traditional and messy games and races for the children as well as face painting, quizzes and toffee apples! The food stalls this year included Mr Delicious Hog Roast, Ladda Thai Food and Rose and Olive Vintage Tea tent who all enjoyed the day. Refreshments, burgers and sausages were provided by the Rudgwick Sports & Community Centre. The ORCS ciders were on sale as well as their healthy Cider Vinegar! Local brewery Firebird’s beers were also available. Raffle Prizes were donated from The Fox Inn, The Kings Head, Freeborn Garage Godalming, Firebird Brewery, the Co-op, Rudgwick Pharmacy, Eclipse Hairdressers, Amanda Cutler-Little Aromatherapy, Quercus Picture framing, Culinary Concepts, Murrays Butchers, Mark Russell Hair, Jo Roo Designs and RSCC. Over £1,000 was raised on the day. The ORCS team’s ethos has always been to support village projects and local charities. ORCS have also bought 6 defibrillators for their village and have donated over £11,000 during the past 9 years. Apple Day Coordinator, Joanna Bowen, and ORCS Chairman, Oliver Ward, commented that thanks to the help of all the willing volunteers, it had been an hugely successful and fun day blessed with good weather. Contributed by Old Rudgwick Cider Society Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes 3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out! The County Times – always the first with your local news. Be part of it.
