On what proved to be a very popular venue for Whitley WI’s August Outing, 35 members headed off to The Apple Barn at Dunham Massey.
We were given a warm welcome from owners Chris and Alison Hewitt and samples of two varieties of apple juice were enjoyed – Jazz and Smiths. During the sampling owner Chris talked to the group about the history of this ‘hidden-away’ apple farm. The family have run the farm for over a century and now grow 76 varieties of apple on the 33 acre site, owned by the National Trust.
After sampling the apple juice members viewed a small section of the orchards, reminding one member of her childhood on a family apple farm in Herefordshire. The group then moved to the huge shed holding the apple press, fermentation equipment and bottling plant and listened to an interesting explanation of the processes.
They tasted 2 varieties of cider in the bar area which was decorated with fairy lights and bunting and some took the opportunity to buy some of the bottles of apple juice and cider. The group then headed back through the narrow lanes to the Jolly Thresher Public House in Lymm where a two-course evening meal was served. This meal and the social time was much enjoyed by all. Thanks were given to the staff at the Thresher for their excellent serviceWell done to Pat S for her excellent organisation of this very enjoyable outing.
