Archbishop of Canterbury attends Big Apple Harvestime Festival in Hereford Diocese

Archbishop Sarah Mullally, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury and former Bishop of London, recently visited the Big Apple Harvestime Festival in Herefordshire as part of her tour marking the 1,350th anniversary of the Diocese of Hereford’s foundation. The visit included a stop at the Much Marcle festival at Hellens Manor, where she engaged with attendees and participated in Harvestime activities.

Following a sermon at Putley Parish Church’s Harvest Festival, Archbishop Mullally toured the event alongside the Bishop of Hereford, Richard Jackson. The pair sampled various cooked apple varieties prepared by volunteers from the Big Apple Community Benefit Society, highlighting the festival’s focus on local agricultural traditions.

The Archbishop and Bishop Jackson also spoke with cider makers and apple growers, emphasizing the importance of their work within the Church of England’s most rural diocese. Jackie Denman, Secretary of the Big Apple Association, expressed appreciation for the Archbishop’s surprise visit, noting it provided both encouragement and insight into the challenges faced by local apple growers.

The festival attracted over a thousand visitors, featuring a range of orchard-related activities across seven venues. Events included traditional perry pear pressing, apple identification, live music, talks, and Morris dancing, reflecting the community’s commitment to preserving local heritage and promoting agricultural knowledge.

Musical performances at the festival featured local artists such as Uke Can’t be Serious, Faith Healers, David Riley, and the Ledbury singers, adding to the cultural vibrancy of the event. Les Lumsden and Martyn Evans led a ‘Walks in Cider Country’ session, sharing insights from their book of the same name, while Jack Toye discussed his search for the elusive perry pear known as ‘Cheat Boy’.

The Big Apple Harvestime Festival serves as a testament to the Church of England’s engagement with rural communities, fostering connections between faith and local traditions. Through such events, the Church continues to support agricultural practices and cultural preservation, aligning with the values of stewardship and community care found in Micah 6:8.

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