A CELEBRATION of fruits was held at Beetham Nurseries over the weekend.

It gave visitors to the annual Apple and Fruit Weekend the opportunity to learn how to get the best from the abundant Autumn harvest.

Ulverston based chef Craig Sherrington, who recently reached the finals of Great British Menu, was in attendance to judge

the Great Beetham Apple Pie Competition and pass on some of his cooking skills.

On Sunday he demonstrated a range of ways to cook with apples. He also presented the winner of the apple pie competition, Wendy Allen, of Dalton-in-Furness, with a £50 Beetham Nurseries gift voucher.

Visitors brought apples to be juiced, and benefited from the expert knowledge of Andy Gilchrist, chairman and newsletter editor of the South Lakeland Orchard Group. He offered growing tips and apple identification tips. Proceeds amounting to £73.48 from the apple pressing will be donated to the North West Air Ambulance.

There were stalls from Hawkshead Relish, Lakeland Mues, Dark Woods Coffee and Farm Yard Ales for people to browse around. Ballon modelling kept the children entertained and there was also a visit from Bob’s Owls and live music from Kendal band Scrogan’s Run.

“We greatly enjoyed meeting so many enthusiastic apple growers over the weekend,” said a Beetham Nurseries spokesperson. “The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was brilliant to see so many people keen to grow their own fruit trees - as it’s much easier than you may think."