To cider-making tradition
charity. This year it is the Christie.
“It is done to awaken the spirts in the trees. We hang toast on the apple trees soaked in cider. Around 20 to 30 children come to the event, they love tying the toast on the trees.
“We have certain songs that we sing about the apples trees. We do three chants. Then I fire a shotgun over the trees. It is meant to encourage all sorts of things to happen.
“Then we have some ‘baggin’ - a term only Cheshire people use for elevenses, which means a butty and a cup of tea for the farmer’s staff.”
Mr Hewitt added: “People enjoy what we do. We normally raise around £300 for the charity.
“It is also a little bit of publicity for us and a lot of enjoyment as well.”
The farmer, who was born and bred at Boundary Farm, began the orchard 10 years ago as an investment for his sons.
“We are an organic farm”, Mr Hewitt added. “We produce organic apple juice, pear juice, blackcurrants and raspberries which are sold to Unicorn in Chorlton. They have a lot of our apple juice.
“The back of the farm is used for organic grass sold to an organic dairy farm in Lancashire. The juices are sold in delis in Manchester and small hotels. We produce 750ml and 250ml bottles of apple juice.
“The bars like it - it means somebody can drive home and have a good non-alcoholic drink.”
Mr Hewitt’s son, Chris, produces cider from the apples, which readers may have supped on at The Brink Bar, on Bridge Street, and CAMRA cider pub of the year Petersgate Tap, in Stockport.
Whether or not it is down to the Wassail, or the hardworking staff at Boundary Farm, there are plans to keep the orchard thriving and supplying the region with apples following several years of tending to the trees.
Mr Hewitt said: “When you plant an apple tree you are planting stock for years to come.
“It takes about six years for that supply to grow. It is not a normal form of the crop year, it is a big investment for several years. I’m planting them for my sons.”