In pictures: Ely’s Apple and Harvest Fayre celebrates 25th anniversary

Apple Day, now called Ely’s Apple and Harvest Fayre because of its close association with Ely Cathedral and its harvest festival, took place over the weekend (11-12 October) on the city’s Palace Green and Cross Green – the first time it has ever been held over two days.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the event.

Anna Bennett, tourism and events manager at Visit Ely, said: “We work with the cathedral on footfall; they had free entrance and lots of lovely harvest floral displays, and they think they saw about 6,500 people.

“We reckon around 8,500-9,000 people came over the weekend.”

The 25th anniversary was marked in a number of ways. “We did a silver apple trail around the city,” said Anna, “so the children went off and found the silver apple, came back and won a prize.

“We had extra sponsors and there was fundraising for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. Cheffins came along and brought their tractor and G’s Farming had their big tractors outside the cathedral.”

Anna added: “This is truly the best yet, but would not have happened without her team of incredible staff and sponsors.

“A huge thanks to Cheffins, to G’s Farming, to Poets House, and of course the supportive family-run business Watergull Orchards.

“I would like to personally thank our mayor, Cllr Mike Banyard, and the lady mayoress, Helen Banyard, for attending.”