THE juice of the apple in its manifestation as cider would not have stopped the gloom as Tenbury defied the elements to celebrate its annual Applefest.

But it might have made people feel warmer and provided a sunnier outlook!

The Applefest is one of the biggest events in the town’s annual calendar bringing people into Tenbury not just from the local area but also the wider West Midlands and other parts of the country.

Fruit and in particular apples have played a major role in the economic history of Tenbury and the Teme Valley and continue to be important.

The area is one of the best apple growing areas in the country and is noted for both the quality and variety of the fruit.

However, the economic importance has been reduced by standardisation and the introduction of varieties grown in other parts of the world.

But the more serious aspect of apples was forgotten as people defied the rain to enjoy the festival on The Burgage.

As well as thousands of apples this year; children from three local primary schools provided entertainment with singing in the entertainment marquee.

There was a chance to watch a blacksmith at work, see the owls and take mini treks with alpacas.

Festival visitors could enjoy story-telling, face painting as well as vehicles from two local MG Owners Clubs and Knighton Historic Vehicle Club, and Animal Encounters.

Entertainment throughout the day included the Tenbury Teme Valley Band, Bandemonium, Leominster Morris Dancers, the Royal British Legion Choir and the Bromyard town crier.

The apple marquee had more than 250 varieties of Apples, pears and quinces, provided by local supplier F P Matthews Ltd and The Marcher Apple Network was on hand to identify apple varieties and also share knowledge on growing and care of apple trees.

People were asked to bring three different examples of local apples to test the experts.

The Appleteme Group was also be in the main marquee to press apples into delicious juice to take home.

Visitors to the Applefest were invited bring along washed apples and clean containers so that the fruit could be turned into a refreshing drink.

There were trade and commercial food stands where people could browse and shop and there was also a licensed bar area.

A number of competitions took place during the day including apple-pie baking and a photographic competition on the theme of the apple.

The Tenbury Applefest is one of the most important events in the town’s annual calendar along with the Tenbury Show in August, midsummer Music Festival and the Mistletoe Festival and sales in November and December.

Applefest marks the start of an important season in the town.

The next big event will be the traditional annual Mistletoe Festival and sales.

Buyers from all over the country and overseas come to Tenbury for the sales that take place at the end of November and in early December.

The Mistletoe Festival includes arts and cultural events throughout the town and the crowning of the Mistletoe Queen – traditionally the head girl from Tenbury High School.

Other important events for traders in Tenbury are the switching on of the Christmas lights and the Santa Parade.