Celebrate the harvest in Birmingham’s green oasis.
If you’re in Edgbaston on Saturday you will be able to take part in Apple Day, as the event celebrates this year’s harvest with Local Food Global Food. It takes place from 11am – 3pm at Martineau Gardens, the community garden in Edgbaston.
Visitors will be able to have a go at making their own apple juice using a traditional hand-powered, wooden fruit press and are invited to use the Gardens’ plentiful supply of apples or bring their own.
Local Food Global Food will be running a demonstration on tasty, healthy food that can be made using apples. The session will take place around the earth oven. Visitors will be able to learn how to make baked apples, dips to have with apples and shredded apple chutney using an Indian recipe.
Northfield Ecocentre will provide an update on the recent success of the crowd-funded fruit picking project, Urban Harvest. There will be apple tasting, produce for sale plus fruit painting and a Hungry Caterpillar puppet activity.
There’s plenty of extra fun at this family friendly event. Children will be able to work in the pottery studio, alongside the Pottery tutor to make all kinds of apple-themed creations
Elsewhere around the gardens, there will be an additional chutney workshop, using ‘Aunty Peg’s Recipe’, a traditional English apple based chutney. Would-be chutney makers will be able to find out how to prepare the ingredients, watch the chutney being cooked and taste it.
The two and a half acre Gardens, though only two miles from Birmingham city centre, are a green oasis with plenty to explore including woodland, glass houses, a formal garden with trees and shrubs from around the world, an orchard, vegetable beds, a wildflower meadow and a play area. Gardeners will enjoy the opportunity to stock up on the Gardens’ plants and compost.
Caroline Hutton, Director of Martineau Gardens said: “Birmingham has high levels of obesity amongst its residents; one of our missions at Martineau Gardens is to inspire Birmingham people to become healthy eaters and grow food. It’s good for wellbeing and this event is a fun way to promote this.”
Martineau Gardens are open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm and are free The Gardens are at 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UG, five minutes from the MAC and opposite the Priory Hospital. Information is available at www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/events or by calling 0121 440 7430.
