Help celebrate borough's first ever Applefest!

Now with the apple picking season nearly here, Newtownabbey Borough Council is looking for people to take part in the area’s first ever Applefest. On September 25 the Applefest at Hazelbank Park will celebrate the restoration of the old traditional orchard in the park.

Anyone who goes along will be invited to pick apples and pears from the orchard and a chef will be on hand to cook your own apple tart, apple pancakes and apple stew.

Find out why orchards are important for wildlife and the important role that bees play in pollination, and have fun in apple-themed art activities. Those who remember apple picking in their younger days are encouraged to come along to share their orchard memories, traditional skills and stories with the younger generation.

Speaking about the event, the Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Maurice Tully commented: “So far the orchard has been revitalised by removing vegetation that was encroaching on the apple trees.

“We have been encouraging local people with memories of the orchard and local area to share them with us and we have been celebrating the apple blossom with a local school, with grafting workshops and are planning to have talks in the near future.

“On the 25th we hope to get lots of people along to celebrate the fruit harvest and join in some great fun apple themed activities.”

There will also be an opportunity to taste, learn and talk about different varieties of apple. The council is working on the project with Spouncer Ecology to restore and celebrate the old traditional orchard and hopes in the future to plant more replacement trees.

The event is free and booking is not required, just pop along at any stage from 11 am to 2pm during the event.

The orchard is located on the slopes that lead to the shore from the car park. For further details of the event or to share your memories contact Maurice Turley, Biodiversity Officer, Newtownabbey Borough Council at: [email protected] or phone Tel: 028 9034 0069.