CHILDREN from Okehampton Primary School had fun pressing apples with the town’s Harvest Workers’ Co-operative last Friday.

Members of the public were also invited to bring their own apples to press at the all-day event in Red Lion Yard, with many different varieties from local gardens and orchards being turned into juice.

Kevin Cotter, a member of the Harvest Co-operative, ran the event outside the co-operative’s shop in the yard.

‘The apple pressing is part of a whole range of food-related activities which we are doing,’ he said. ‘We worked with three classes at the school, 90 children and parents, and we also did some apple pressing with members of the community who happened to be passing by.’

‘The apples they were pressing were donated by members of the community. They were brought in by lots of different people. There were some Herring’s Pippins in there, some Crimson Crisps and Egremont Russets and some Rosemary Russets, but also some complete mysteries, which is all part of the fun.

‘It meant that we did six apple pressings throughout the day and they were all completely different because they were using a completely different blend of apples.’

To end the day, Kevin gave a traditional storytelling session at the primary school.

The event is part of a series of activities aimed at promoting local food run by the co-operative, with support from Okehampton United Charities.

‘It was really nice, because after the event, in the shop on Saturday, I heard lots of little voices saying “that is where we found out about apples” and “that’s where we did the apple pressing”. I think it is nice to use the Red Lion Yard as a space for events because it draws people in to see what is going on. It is invaluable for that sense of community.’

Pictures by James Bird, see more in this week’s Times.