HUNDREDS of people took advantage of a break in the weather to attend the 7th annual Bridport Community Orchard Apple Day on Saturday.

Organisers spoke of their relief when, after a week of wet and windy weather, they awoke on the day of the event to find dry and calm conditions, allowing them to set up the 17 gazebos and multitude of stalls for visitors.

Groves Nurseries, Transition Town Bridport, Communities Living Sustainably, and the Dorset Wildlife Trust were among the stalls set up for the day. Staff from Bridport Town Council and town mayor Maggie Ray were also present for the occasion.

This year was an 'especially good year' for children who attended, according to organisers, with cardboard dens, wool weaving, apple bobbing, pond dipping, and an active archaeological dig by local expert Robert Lancaster to try their hand at.

Jill Lloyd, chair of the Bridport Community Orchard Group, said: “It was a very good event and probably the best yet. It was a very happy atmosphere and everyone was enjoying themselves, even me, which as someone organising an event isn't always the case. I would say watch this space for new children's activities next year.”

“This organisation, and the event, could not happen without generous support from local businesses and, most of all, the people of Bridport and further afield who came to join in and celebrate our orchard.”

An extensive programme of entertainment was also organised for the orchard, opening with the Bucky Don't's ukulele band, followed by Morris dancers Monkton Wyld, and a fireside storytelling session presented by Martin Maudsley. The evening closed with an acoustic session led by David Squirrel.

An in-house apple juicing team were also on hand to turn boxes of apples into fresh juice for those attending.

The Bridport Community Orchard Group will start their 2015 programme with a Wassailing event on January 18.