30 July 2010
Orchards Open Gates For Plum Weekend
The biggest celebration of all things Plum in the UK will be taking place during the Plum Weekend in the villages of Bluntisham, Colne and Somersham on 14 and 15 August, from 11am to 5pm. This weekend is a rare chance for people to visit some of the beautiful orchards in the district.
There will be something for everyone at this event. Visit the largest traditional orchard in the area in Bluntisham at Heath Fruit Farm; picnic in Mr Fears orchard in Colne; or Pick Your Own at Lawn Orchard in Somersham. Five guided walks and talks are available over the weekend, covering orchard wildlife, organic fruit growing and beekeeping. Advice is available about backyard poultry keeping, with hens and ducks to look at. There is a drop-in silkscreen printing workshop at Colne Village Hall for all ages, children’s activities at Lawn Orchard in Somersham and a cake making workshop at Bluntisham Baptist Church on Saturday. Local pubs and restaurants will offer a choice of plum based menus and there is cider, apple juices and ice creams available at different venues. There will be an exhibition of photography and paintings, and lots of topic related information from specialists.
Councillor Doug Dew, whose executive responsibilities include planning said: “Huntingdonshire District Council is delighted to support this event, which celebrates our unique orchard heritage. We hope that people will enjoy visiting the orchards, sampling the produce and learning more about the cultural importance and wildlife value of this very special area of the district.”
Advanced booking is required for the orchard talk and walk at Bluntisham Village Hall on Thursday 5 August at 7pm with Fabiola Blum, biodiversity officer at Cambridgeshire County Council, tel: 01223 715697; the Orchard Cake Workshop for children on Saturday 14 August £5.00 per person, Tel: 07870 457847; and the Open Air Laboratories Network for children over 12 on the Saturday 14 August, looking at orchard wildlife through the microscope, tel: 01707 285050 or 07973677563.
Click on the link on the right for a full programme of the Plum Weekend.