Apple appeal as cider festival faces shortage

Organisers of a cider festival are appealing for spare apples after poor weather and heatwaves left the island facing a severe fruit shortage.

Jersey Heritage said this year's apple harvest had been badly affected, leaving far fewer apples available for its annual cider festival, La Faîs'sie d'Cidre.

The event at Hamptonne Country Life Museum on 17 and 18 October, recreates traditional cider-making using a horse-powered stone crusher and wooden press.

Nicola Lucas, Jersey Heritage's community events curator, said the shortage was unlike anything she had seen in 12 years organising the festival.

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She said: "We usually collect about 80 large sacks of fruit from the main orchard that supplies us with cider apples.

"We'll be lucky to fill two sacks this year and are also hearing that any apples that have been harvested are not offering much juice."

Fewer cider-making demonstrations are expected and visitors may miss out on tasting freshly pressed apple juice, although last year's vintage cider will still be available for adults.

Lucas said: "There is no question that the festival will take place but we will have to adapt the format if we are unable to significantly increase the number of apples currently available."

Jersey Heritage is asking anyone with spare apples to donate them at Hamptonne from 12 October onwards.

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