Events
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Summer pruning, scything and social August 2022This event will be at Mosser (near Cockermouth) on August 7th (weather permitting). It is an opportunity to learn how to scythe with the amazing Austrian scythe as well as to understand and practice summer pruning. Alternatively you can just enjoy the crack, cider, tea and cakes, and view the orchard in fine weather (hopefully!).
Summer pruning, scything, social, cider etc. at Mosser - Early August (exact date to be confirmed)
This event is planned for Sunday August 7th. If the weather forecast is poor then it may be moved to August 6th.
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 (but socially-distanced) NCOG tea/cake/juice/cider/banter. For those interested in cider making we will also review progress of the 2020 cider.
An orchard tour and the summer pruning workshop will take place in the morning and the scything workshop will be in the afternoon.
The timing is fairly flexible, but a provisional approximate timetable is as follows:
- 10:30am: Session on objectives and methods of summer pruning, followed by an opportunity to practice.
- 11:30am: Orchard tour
- 12:30pm: Bring your own sandwiches etc. but there will be some cakes/bread and tea (at least). Sample the cider.
- 1:30pm: 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.
- 2:30pm: Cider tasting
- 3:30pm: Tea: Please bring contributions of cake or other things suitable for the occasion.
- Finish: probably around 4:30-5pm?
Please note that booking is required for the scything and strongly advised otherwise. If you book the morning and want to stay in the afternoon, but not take part in the scything, just book the morning session and add a note.
Please do not come if you have any COVID symptoms or have been in contact with an infected person
This event is bookable - see details and book -
Dalemain Harvest Celebrations 18th September 2022Dalemain has always been famous for its beautiful autumn colour, and wonderful collection of ancient apple trees. They will be celebrating all things Autumnal with a special Harvest Day on Sunday 18th September 2022.
A traditional celebration of the harvest, Dalemain will be offering visitors a chance to explore the importance of the Harvest at Dalemain and in Cumbria through the centuries. There will be lectures, activities and guided tours, to be enjoyed by everyone from families to gardening experts.
There will be plenty of traditional and special activities taking place throughout the day. There will be ‘heavy’ shire horses in the historic courtyard, alongside produce stands and apple juicing with North Lakes Orchard Group. Visitors should bring clean apples (hand picked and washed, not rotten) and a container for their juice. Herbs and apples have been harvested from the gardens and will be served as part of our delicious Autumnal menu in the Mediaeval Hall Tearoom. You can even make a paper flowerpot and plant an acorn – a tree for the future!
For more details, see the Dalemain website.
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Apple identification - Acorn Bank, September 25th, 2022Bring along your mystery apples and let our experts help to identify which apple varieties you’ve got growing in your garden.
Is it a Bloody Ploughman? Or a Forty Shillings? Bring your mystery apples along to be identified by apple experts from across the North of England. For each variety you will need to bring 3 fruits and some leaf if you wish to have it identified.
Timing - 11am - 3pm.
Please note that this is a National Trust event (not NCOG) and that, while the identification is free, normal admission charges will apply.
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Hutton-in-the-Forest Apple Day - October 2nd 2022Apple identification, pressing, displays, stalls and fun for all the family at Hutton-in-the-Forest's Apple Day on Sunday October 2nd from 10am to 4pm.
The grounds and garden of the historic house at Hutton-in-the-Forest will make the ideal backdrop of this apple-themed day. NCOG will have a stall there to provide advice, demonstrate apple juicing, and sell trees, juice and cider. There will be a display of a wide range of apple varieties. We will also assist with apple identification - for each variety you will need to bring 3 fruits and some leaf if you wish to have it identified.
There will also be various activities to entertain you and the kids - including music and dancing - and stalls selling apple and related products.
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Lazonby Autumn Festival October 8th 2022A family day with a distinct apple theme. NCOG will be there with our presses.
This event is being organised by villagers in Lazonby village and plans to have a number of locally-themed stalls. We will be juicing, giving advice and information, maybe some identification, and an Apple display. It will be a family day with Apple themed games and activities .
Bring your own clean apples to juice. Remember to bring some bottles to take the juice home in! (Allow 500-600ml per 1kg apples - 1pt from 2lbs in old money)