MORE than 60 different varieties of apples will be on display at a day to celebrate one of Chepstow’s favourite fruits.

Chepstow Drill Hall is hosting the town’s annual Apple Day on Sunday, October 29, from 11am to 4pm.

The event will include an exhibition of more than 60 different varieties of locally grown apples, stalls, displays, games, competitions and musical entertainment.

Demonstrations of apple pressing and cider making will also be given.

Mike Porter, the apple identification expert of the Marcher Apple Network and author of the ‘Welsh Marches Pomona’ will be on hand to put names and provide information about your apples. To enable identification three apples from each tree should be brought.

A spokesman for the Drill Hall said: “In centuries past, Chepstow was famous for its apple blossom in the spring followed by a harvest of wonderful apples many of which were made into cider.

“Starting in 2008 Chepstow Town Council and Transition Chepstow planted nearly 200 apple trees to recreate community orchards throughout the town, many of which are now bearing fruit.

“This year has been very fruitful with many apple trees bending under the weight of the crop. Apple day is a celebration of the community orchards around the town.”

A juicing day will be held on Saturday, October 28 from 11 am to 4 pm for those with large quantities of apples to process.

Those attending are asked to bring apples and containers to take away the juice.

More than a dozen varieties of locally grown apples will be in the pick and mix self-service sale.

For competitive cooks there is an apple cookery competition for either dessert or savoury dishes with cash prizes. Entry forms are available from Chepstow Museum. Chepstow Apple Day is created by the Drill Hall, Chepstow Town Council and Transition Chepstow.

For more information contact Ned Heywood 07899 868 591 or 01291 624836.