Next Saturday Hitchin's town square will play host to an annual celebration of local food and sustainability, themed around the great British apple.

The Triangle Garden will be gathering together some great local food producers and environmental groups including several local orchard projects.

UK Apple Day is an annual celebration held to raise awareness of the importance of apples, orchards, and local produce.

It was first organized in 1990 by the environmental charity Common Ground as part of a campaign to promote the rich diversity of apple varieties in the UK and the significance of traditional orchards in the landscape.

The UK is home to over 2,500 varieties of apples, many of which are specific to different regions. This makes the UK one of the most diverse countries in the world for apple varieties.

September marked the start of a new British apple season.

Ali Capper, executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), recently said that: "Weather and cost of production issues have once again challenged our growers, but they are resilient and working hard to deliver a great crop later this year. We're expecting 2024 to be a good crop, but we probably won't reach the bumper volumes of 2022.

Hitchin Apple Day will be organised by the Triangle Garden a community garden based within Ransoms Recreational Park where people of all ages and abilities can come together and take part in creative land-based activities, such as growing food, tending plants, creating wildlife habitats and making permanent garden features.

"This year as well as apples, pears, apple juice, jams, chutneys and cards, we'll be selling spring bulbs for your garden, lawn or containers at well below RRP. All proceeds go towards our work" explained Triangle Garden in a statement.

Next year will mark the 25^th anniversary of the community group that helps people of all ages and abilities to "connect, grow, enjoy".