‘I’M so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.’ So said L M Montgomery, author of ‘Anne of Green Gables’. I know what she means, for although it’s hard to let go of summer, the autumn has its own enchantments – dazzling colours, hedgerows heavy with haws and hips, magical mistletoe and the glorious bounty of ripening fruit.

Somerset has long been famous for its apples, with varieties galore being eaten or pressed into delicious bottles of cider and apple juice.

Last autumn volunteers from Transition Town Wellington (TTW) harvested enough apples to produce about 250 bottles of juice. This year, with all the restrictions and need for social distancing, could we rise to the challenge and do it again? There were difficulties – apple juice angst made it tempting to give this year a miss – everyone would understand. But despite the temptations of this rather defeatist option, TTW decided to have a go. Rules of six, safe distancing and masks were all applied, and with energy and goodwill the apples were picked, packed, juiced and bottled.

King of Pippin, Newton Wonder, Rosemary Russet, Catshead and Ash Mead Kernal are just a few of the varieties gathered from orchards and gardens around Wellington. A good supply of Somerset Redstreak came from Swain’s Lane Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife, as well as a productive orchard.

In the end we had 280 bottles of apple juice, all locally grown and produced. A terrific achievement, given the special difficulties of 2020.

These will be available from The Blue Pantry in Fore Street, as they were last year, with TTW’s proceeds going towards projects such as planting trees, developing wildflower meadows and protecting our wildlife.

Apples which didn’t get juiced will not be wasted. Wellington butcher Tim Potter’s ‘Pay Forward’ scheme, will include some of the apples in its meat, fruit and vegetable boxes provided for families with children who will miss out on school meals. Other surplus apples will be sold for a nominal amount, with the proceeds going to help pay for the free food boxes, and any remaining fruit will be donated to ARC at Lindley House, Taunton, a charitable organisation for the homeless.

So the year has turned out a success and is another wonderful example of how so much can be achieved through community action.

Sue Rickard