What a truly glorious event Ely hosted over the weekend, with over 8000 visitors and community attending the Silver Anniversary of the Apple and Harvest Fayre.
2001 was the very first event, held on the Market Square and year on year it’s grown into one of Ely’s finest autumn events organised by the Visit Ely Team, which is part of the City of Ely Council.
The weekend was officially opened by Ely’s Town Crier, Matthew Routledge and the Mayor of Ely, Cllr Mike Banyard and drew huge crowds over the first ever whole weekend celebration. Ely Cathedral was adorned with Harvest Displays through the Nave, right through to the Octagon Tower with the produce and flower displays being phenomenal.
Across Palace and Cross Green, with Ely Cathedral in the backdrop, over 80 traders attended showcasing local produce and fine quality arts and crafts. The Visit Ely Team provided children’s activities throughout the day including hook an apple, and of course the famous ‘Apple Peel’ competition, with a record of 3.87m – the longest yet!
Entertainment was once again provided by the gorgeous Knightingales Trio, beautifully dressed in harvest and apple themed costumes, they even had couples dancing on the green. Kara Lumley joined us Sunday with her sublime voice, entertaining us just perfectly. On Sunday, CAT theatre company’s cast of their next production of Nativity gave us a snippet of their upcoming show which is running during November at the Maltings, Ely Riverside.
Anna Bennett, Visit Ely Manager and Event Organiser said ‘This is truly the best yet, but would not have happened without her team of incredible staff and sponsors. A huge thanks to Cheffins, to G’s Farming, to Poets House and of course the supportive family run business Watergull Orchards. I would like to personally thank our Mayor, Cllr Mike Banyard and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Helen Banyard, for attending the opening”
This year a trophy has been created dedicated to David Fisher, who planted the ‘seed’ all those years ago. Every year, the winner of the ‘longest peel will have their name engraved.
To that end, it was a fine weekend, with just the right autumn chill in the air, and a weekend that made memories for years to come.