Bright and sunny, the annual seed swap and apple pressing hosted a plethora of visitors around Hythes’ High Street, convivial conversation, enjoying sips of amber nectar whilst browsing the spoils of Mother Nature.

Relative newcomers to Hythe and the first visit to this event, my husband and I were enthralled by the simplicity of the tasks involved in producing this citrusy, crisp, clean tasting apple juice. 

Sea breeze ripened local apples were delivered by their growers where individual varieties blended to form a symphony of delicious flavour. 

The ready team of hands-on volunteers worked the produce into chunk pieces with skin, pips and all, ready for the next stage; the huge macerating machine. 

Cranking the wheel brought grizzly crusher teeth together to mash the produce to a pulp. Now unrecognizable, the juicy concoction plopped into huge reservoirs, ready for the ‘piece de la resistance,’ the apple press itself. 

Loaded into the heavy-duty press sack, the plate is slowly lowered to release the maximum; juice trickles, bubbling into an amber flood and the process is complete. 

Fresh apple juice to savour and enjoy. 

Remnants to compost 

The equipment is all available to borrow and use by any member of our community. However, whilst anybody from our community is welcome to borrow the press and crusher, these are both bulky and reasonably heavy.  Borrowers are expected to make their own arrangements to transport to / from your location.

To borrow the equipment, please contact George Kirby: E: georgekirby57@gmail.com  T: 07808 402477