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Date: Saturday August 3rd. Location: Mosser (see description here and directions attached). Members only (free).

Summer is a fairly quiet time in the orchard - mostly enjoying the sunshine and watching the apples grow - but there are a few (pleasant) jobs to do. Fruit can be thinned to maximise fruit size; trees (particularly trained forms) can be pruned to maximize next year's crop; and the understory meadow should have finished flowering by mid-late July and be ready for mowing with a scythe to allow access for picking.

So this event will focus on these activities. However, they are not compulsory, so members can just come along and watch the others work while enjoying the traditional NCOG tea/cake/juice/cider/banter. For those interested in cider making we will also review progress of the 2018 cider.

The timing is fairly flexible, but a provisional approximate timetable is as follows:

• 10:30am: Introduction to scything for those who have not done it before. Our scythes are of the "Austrian" variety - very light, sharp and easy to use. They are by far the best way of cutting long grass (much better, quieter and cheaper than a strimmer). We will introduce you to the tool, its use and care, followed by some supervised practice.
• Lunch: Bring your own sandwiches etc. but there will be some cakes/bread and tea (at least). Sample the cider.
• 1:30ish: Session on objectives and methods of summer pruning, followed by an opportunity to practice.
• 2:30ish: Scything "refresher" session focussing on set-up, sharpening and technique, with plenty more practice opportunities.
• Tea: Please bring contributions of cake or other things suiatble for the occasion.
• Finish: probably around 4:30-5pm?

Please book using the link below. Booking is important as it means we can quickly contact you if plans change (as well as having an idea of numbers). Booking should be straightforward on the new website - just enter your email address (the one through which you receive NCOG emails) and you will get an email with a link. Please email Mark at Enable JavaScript to view protected content. if you have a problem with it.

This event is bookable - see details and book

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Dalemain gardens has huge variety of interest, from herbaceous borders to wild flowers and terraces to trees. Of particular interest to NCOG members will be the variety of fruit trees and the 16th Century apple house.

We have arranged for a group tour (combined with our sister group the South Lakes Orchard Group) at discounted entry prices. There is a selection of old apple trees (and now cordons) which date from alleged Roman ones to modern cultivars such as Lady Ann which was bred by Andy Gilchrist (SLOG chairman). The plan is for Hilary Wilson to take everyone round and talk about the trees. There is a café available for refreshment afterwards.

Meet at Dalemain at 1:45pm - see their website for directions.

Members - please book on this event via "My NCOG" otherwise you may have to pay the full price.

This event is bookable - see details and book

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On Saturday October 19th, we will be doing a public apple juicing session in Appleby town centre as part of the town's "Apples in Appleby" event organised by local businesses and food producers.

We plan to have two hydropresses in operation and should be able to deal with a good quantity of fruit,so bring your clean apples and juice containers along!

Bring your apples - any type, eaters or cookers, clean and not bruised or rotten - to put through our presses. Take home delicious juice to drink or freeze - please bring your own containers,1kg of fruit makes approx 600ml of juice.

Experts will also be on hand to give advice on orchards and apple growing in Cumbria.

Find us by the Moot Hall as part of the Apples In Appleby event. From 10am to 4pm