APPLES will still play a major role in a Ripon charity’s annual fundraising calendar, despite the cancellation of an annual event.

Each October sees Ripon Community Link staging its Apple Day at its Ripon Walled Garden, which is attended by hundreds of people and raises thousands of pounds for the organisation that supports adults and young people with learning disabilities.

However, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the charity has called off next month’s in order to keep members, staff, volunteers and the public safe from the pandemic.

Instead, it is replacing it with a number of alternatives, centred around the apples growing in its famed orchard. Whilst onsite, visitors can enjoy a takeaway drink and purchase some home-baked produce.

Visitors to the apple day would normally be able to bring their apples and have them pressed by Old Sleningford Farm, a popular activity on the day.

This year, they will still be pressing our apples into juice which can be bought year-round from the Walled Garden.

The charity is also inviting the public to pick their own apples, which must be booked in advance.

Victoria Ashley, Ripon Community Link chief executive, said:

“We are absolutely devastated not be able to stage our annual Apple Day.

“This is one of our most important fundraising events of the year, and last year alone it raised more than £3,000.

“Because of COVID-19, we have had to call it off, but are offering the public the opportunity to still participate in apple-related activities.

“I’d also like to thank Old Sleningford Farm for their continued support and for making the apple, apple & ginger and apple & pear juice available in our shop all year round, made from the apples from our heritage orchard.

“COVID-19 has also led us to us cancelling all fundraising events and our tearoom is currently open for limited takeaways only via the shop.

“We are experiencing continued demand for our services, operating a comprehensive Home Support Programme and our costs are increasing to keep us Covid safe, and yet our fundraising has been severely restricted.

“We hope the public is able to support us and help us maintain our services to adults and young people with learning disabilities.”

Ripon Walled Garden has a huge variety of autumn bedding plants and winter vegetables and compost for home growing. It is now launching a local home delivery service which is free for orders over £15.

Victoria concluded:

“With Christmas less than less than 100 days away, we have a wide range of wooden items from Bird Tables to Planters for sale, which will make ideal presents, and we are gearing up for our annual sale of Christmas trees, wreaths and Christmas related produce.”

To find out more about the apple activities, its delivery service and the produce it is currently selling from its Walled Garden site, please visit: https://www.riponcommunitylink.org/

To book a place apple picking, please call 01765 609229.