Cider
Making from London to Bristol, 2004... 2004
may have seen a year-off from cider making for HMZ, but
several of this website's forum members took up the cider-making
challenge and pressed their own apples this year, mainly
with great success.
London,
Surrey Docks City Farm Forum
members Tharg and Ivanhoe were at the forefront of organising
this cider-making effort by a group of SE1 apple-lovers.
40 sacks of apples from an orchard in Littledean, at the
top of the Forest of Dean, were pressed by the side of
the Thames into 94 gallons of juice!
Apple varieties included Kingston Blacks, Bulmers Normans,
Harry Masters, Tom Putts, and Michelins.
Back Row Left to Right: Tharg (with silly
hat); Lang Rabbie; Jon R; Ivanhoe; Mrs Ivanhoe. Middle
Row: Harriet; The Unladylike Miss Jo Dubiel; Ollie
C; Jenny. Front row: Yoko - as far as we're
aware, Japan’s only cider maker.
Other participants missing from the line up, but
featuring in some of the other pictures: Gerry;
Richard; Earl; Emma Farmwoman; Stephen, Sarah, Orla and
Fergal O’Connell; Victoria.
Bristol,
Al Caholic's Garden Al
Caholic used a garden shredder and very small press to
make his juice and produce a fine cider. The shredder
was much quicker and easier to use than the scratter HMZ
used, it mashed up the apples better so they gave more
juice, and was quite good fun bashing the apples through
with a stick! Your hands get black from scooping up the
pulp and filling the press basket, but its a small price
to pay. Al had this to say at the time: “It
was indeed a very enjoyable and productive weekend which
started with myself, Jack the Hat and his missus making
our way to a small orchard in Glastonbury to pick up what
turned out to be far too many apples. The sun shined,
the views were stunning and I reckon God should be added
to the famous cider drinkers section. I have to say I
have never seen apples as juicy as these. Despite not
knowing the variety, they have made delicious tasting
juice and I have a good feeling about the quality of the
forthcoming cider.” HMZ Consultancy Services
(Gents and Lord Lucan) were on hand to help out too, here
are some photos:
