GALLERY: Crowds turn out to celebrate Ely’s annual Apple Day

Palace Green played host as Ely celebrated the apple in all its glory on Saturday.

Ely Apple Day, on Palace Green, Ian Newstead, of Ely Switch On, trying for the longest apple peel - Credit: Archant

A dizzying array of ciders and juices were on offer from brewers near and far at the annual Apple Day event alongside fruit-themed handicrafts, art and a variety of apple-based snacks.

Hundreds who visited the event were given the opportunity to bring along any unknown varieties of apple for identification by a panel of experts, while there was also the chance to have a throw at an apple shy, with prizes of apples on offer, of course.

There was even a series of apple-and-spoon races held under the watchful eye of Ely’s mayor Cllr Elaine Griffin-Singh and town crier Avril Hayter-Smith.

The longest apple peel competition was won by Ben Jones, who managed an unbroken peel of 400cm.

The City of Ely Waites struck up a tune while the Ely and Littleport Riot women’s Morris side demonstrated their skill to the watching hundreds.

Among other charitable groups in attendance, the Ely Christmas Light Switch-On and Lisa Barnes Memorial Trust raised hundreds for their causes and generous visitors enjoyed a variety of tombolas and games.