Our harvesting season started early this year.  Due to unseasonably warm weather - climate change? - fruit didn't last so well, with many of our tree owners having little or no fruit.  The total amount of fruit picked this year was 317kg. This was made up of five apple picks, with only 65kg of apples; pears proved to be the winner this year with 208kg from four picks;  we also harvested 31kg of grapes and 13kg of plums.  In all we did twelve group picks - the same as last year - but only gathered around half the amount of fruit.

Fruit was distributed to Brent Food Bank, Brahma Khumaris, Willesden Green Baptist Church, Age UK, Brondesbury Girl Guides, Mayhew Animal Home, and Muhammadi Trust, besides our own use.

Maria from the Brondesbury Guides told us about their fun evening making chocolate-covered pears.  See pictures here.

Our donation of 30kg of pears to Open House (a drop-in service for local homeless and vulnerable people) at Willesden Green Baptist Church was much appreciated.  Caty Delmont from the group said, "The pear crumble was so tasty that people came back for third portions.  There was also enough for a small crumble at our harvest festival meal, to give to an older friend who is not able to leave home, and to two families.  In all it made about 80 generous portions.  Please thank everyone."

Several new people joined in our activities this year, with two new pick leaders and about fifteen people involved in the picks.  Together with Mapesbury pickers and Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters, we took part in a big pick at Fryent Country park, where 500kg of fruit was harvested.  We also clubbed together with these neighbouring groups to buy a 12 litre fruit press.
 
Besides the picks, we ran two jam workshops for the first time (see here and here), and did our first ever juicing event - making pear juice for park runners in Gladstone park - see pics.

We ran a successful stall at Cricklewood festival making over £70 selling jams and fruit - see pics.

We also joined Twitter @WHarvesters and Facebook Willesden Harvesters and updated our publicity here.

Next year we hope to do more juicing, pruning training, and find more trees to harvest.

A big thanks to all who were involved this year.  To join us please email willesdenharvesters@gmail.com

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