hi there, would like to be involved, what a great idea.... please keep me informed about days and events..thnks

I have an apple tree at home and last year planted 50 fruit trees in the School that I work in. So I need ideas what can we do with the fruit?

This Saturday 1st October come along and get involved in our first ever juice-making on the Kilburn High Road.  If you like to cut apples, crush apples, serve apple juice or chat to people about where the fruit comes from please get in touch. Help welcome for just an hour or the whole event. 

If you can help out get in touch with Michael.  Email michael.stuart6@googlemail.com

We've put out a press release -

Transition Groups Bring Local Juice-Making to Kilburn High Road

Members of Brent’s Transition Town groups will be pressing local apples to make juice on the Kilburn High Road this Saturday.  “Local Fruit Harvesting” groups from “Transition Kensal to Kilburn” and “Transition Willesden” will be joining forces to make juice from locally picked apples outside Argos at Kilburn Square on the Kilburn High Road between 11am and 2pm on Saturday 1^st October.

Kilburn resident and Co-ordinator of the ‘Local Fruit Harvesters’ project Michael Stuart says,  “We’re really excited we can spread the word about local fruit right in the heart of the Kilburn High Road. We’re encouraging residents to bring their own apples from their gardens and we'll turn them into juice for them to drink.”

Dollis Hill resident and Co-ordinator of Transition Willesden, Viv Stein, says, “This is a great opportunity to help save local apples from waste and show people how to make fresh and tasty juice.”

“Local Fruit Harvesters” was set up in 2009 by Michael Stuart and Viv Stein.  The award-winning project is now part of the Transition Kilburn to Kensal group. This year over 1,000 kilos of fruit – apples, pears, plums and figs have already been picked. The fruit gets shared out between garden owners, volunteer pickers and distributed to local schools, charities, restaurants and shops on a non-profit basis.  This is the first time it will be taken to a local High Street.

The project has also trained 45 people to prune fruit trees.  It is based between Kensal Rise, Kilburn and Mapesbury, and has secured Ward Working funding from Brent Council.  The newly-formed Transition Willesden group has recently started to get involved in harvesting fruit in the Willesden area.

Folk may like to look at this doc from the DCLG website, about community orchards. Apologies if this has already been seen.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/orchardshowto

and

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/orchardscase...

Plum crop from Freud's house on Tuesday.  A huge haul of lovely little red plumbs, rescuing them from a fate of making the neighbours slip on the pavement. 

If it's not obvious to people if you click on the link 'Plum crop from Freud's house on Tuesday' in comment below you get a lovely photo of us all!

Hi all,

Is there any word on a fruit harvesters meet up? I can't remember if a date was set.

thanks Jen.

Michael and I were just discussing that and need to check the minutes to see what was decided.  But there will be one soon, and some pruning workshop action, so an email will go out shortly.  Also there's the Willesden Wassail on the 20th Feb :-)

Wassail is on Jan 20th...details to follow

The best looking apples on my tree are right at the top. Does anyone have an apple picker I can borrow? (Long pole with bag at the end and some sort of hook or cutter).

There's one in the library in Salusbury Road for free loan. Try there first and if you have problems getting hold of it let us know and we'll find another way to get one to you. Michael

We have a number of jams, chutneys, pickles and compotes made by members of the group using locally harvested ingredients...they make great gifts.  Currently for sale in Taste of Chamberlayne, Brooks the Butchers and will be in stock at upcoming events.  Contact Sophia for more info.

Protecting Royal Apples on Radio 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02zmjtg

Dear All,

Could someone tell me if there is any funding for expanding this kind of group activity in our community ??

We'll be selling apple & vanilla jam at Queens Park Farmers Market on Sunday 22nd May http://ttkensaltokilburn.ning.com/events/fruit-harvesters-at-queens...

Do you have / need clean jam jars?  One of our members is helping us to store / coordinate...get in touch if you need more details.

The Food Programme on Radio 4 was dedicated to apples today (The Apple: How British a fruit?). You can listen to the podcast here.

Many thanks to Vera for leading our sticky toffee pudding workshop at Christchurch at the weekend.  We enjoyed making and eating delicious mini puddings made with Parlour's pear caramel!  Thanks also to Christchurch for hosting.  Christchurch provide feed many people in need every week http://www.christchurchbrondesbury.org.uk/parish.htm If you can help please contact Stephen stepspc@mac.com

Please come to our meeting on 30th May 7.30pm to plan the harvesting season ahead.  Full details in Events.  RSVP to kensaltokilburnharvesters@gmail.com if you can come and I'll send you the address for Michael's flat on Christchurch Ave.

Some lovely photos from our recent cooking workshop at Abbey led by Vera!

https://communitytimecamden.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/chutney-making...

James Grieve apple tree at 34 Lynton Road NW6 6BL. Check with Nelly for access - 07957114048