By Mary Barber

Apple Day brought shoppers to Hitchin's Market Square and raised £450 for Triangle Community Garden's work helping disadvantaged groups connect with nature.

Organisers called Saturday's event "a great success", despite a much-reduced apple harvest following this year's late frosts, drought and heatwaves.

Volunteers sold locally grown English apples from Cam Valley Orchards, including Cox's Orange Pippin, Howgate Wonder, Blenheim Orange and Egremont Russet, as well as pears.

The charity's stall also featured its own apple juice, cookbooks, cards, herbs, flowers and house plants grown in its polytunnel at Ransoms Recreation Ground.

The square was filled with stalls celebrating food, nature and sustainability. Traders included Zuckermaus Bakery, offering Austrian treats; Brocklebys Pies of Melton Mowbray; The Indian Orchard, with chutneys and samosas; vegan bakery Dopa Delights; and Buzzworks, Hitchin's Community Bee Garden.

There were also plants, honey and pollinator displays, wildlife information and activities for children.

Visitors could bring apples and a clean container to try a working apple press at the Hertfordshire Orchard Initiative stall. Representatives from Hitchin Nature Network, The Wildlife Trust, RSPB and Friends of the Earth shared information about their work. And Hitchin's Dr Bike also offered free bicycle servicing.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

Morris dancers, the Hicca Hoodlums, added to the festive atmosphere as they danced around the square to traditional folk music.

Triangle Community Garden, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, supports people of all ages and abilities through gardening and contact with the natural world.

Vicky Wyer, chair and co-founder, said: "We were very worried that there would be no apples at all this year, as climate change has had such a devastating effect on the harvest, but we managed to pull in six varieties in the end, which saved the day.

"Although takings were down on previous years, the event overall was a great success with lots of positive interactions, and we loved having the Hicca Hoodlums, who added hugely to the vibe!"

Money raised will support the charity's community projects, including social and therapeutic horticulture for people with cognitive differences and those experiencing isolation.

The garden also runs monthly community gardening sessions, workshops, walks and talks, as well as a weekly garden club that welcomes new volunteers.

Find out more at trianglegarden.org.