Attendees enjoyed tours of the orchard, craft stalls and home-made refreshments. Children were treated to storytelling, wildlife crafts and a visit from Bertie the badger. There were also fresh apples, apple juice and preserves to buy – all made from this year’s apple harvest. Sales and donations raised over £4,000. The money will help us protect and improve wildlife in Hertfordshire and Middlesex.

Local field artist Martin Gibbons was on hand to teach wildlife illustration and visitors could also try out spoon carving with Herts Wood and get face-to-face with rescue bats with Herts and Middlesex Bat Group. Herts and Middlesex Badger Group, Welwyn Hatfield Beekeepers, Codicote Community Orchard and West Essex & East Herts Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers also offered fun activities and local products for sale.

Our Chief Executive Lesley Davies said:

“Our annual Apple Day is always a highlight in the Trust’s calendar. It’s fantastic to see so many people inspired and excited about wildlife. We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers, especially our volunteer wardens Anna and Michael Clark at Tewin Orchard, Councillor Ken Crofton for his generous donation and everyone who supported this year’s Apple Day. The event was a great success and we are already looking forward to Apple Day 2019!”

Tewin Orchard is one of our nature reserves and supports a wide variety of wildlife.  It has locally distinct fruit varieties and a specially-constructed badger hide which hosts badger-watching evenings from March until October.