In honour of ‘Apple Day’ this year, Bristol Cider Shop is reviving the ancient art of apple rolling. They will be holding an apple rolling contest on Saturday 19th October and are challenging aspiring contestants to get their apples ready!
The event will be held on the Christmas Steps, which is one of the oldest parts of Bristol, and which is where many people believe that cider was invented. As the story goes, a basket of apples fell off a rickety cart on its way to market, rolled down the Steps, squashed at the bottom and began to ferment.
It was only when locals noticed that horses drinking from a nearby trough were behaving strangely that they started to investigate, and it was mariner Edward Teach that famously remarked “Ere, what’s this ‘orse got inside ‘er?”.
The event follows the inaugural roll last year, which was the first time that apples had been rolled down the Steps in almost a century. As Nick Davis, co-owner of Bristol Cider Shop, commented “A lot of people don’t realise that this is where cider comes from. We’re hoping to change all that.”
There will be a children’s competition at 1pm, followed by the adults’ ‘roll’ at 2pm. Contestants are encouraged to bring their own apples, which can be decorated, or they can buy an apple on the day for 50p. There will be prizes for the children and the chance to win a barrel of cider for the adults.
Contestants should register at Bristol Cider Shop, 7 Christmas Steps, Bristol BS1 5BS. For more information, see the Bristol Cider Shop website.
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