Members of Ely Rotary Club rolled up their sleeves on Friday 12th September to pick 100 kilos of cooking apples from Lancaster Way Business Park – all in preparation for Ely’s popular Apple and Harvest Fayre.
The apples, arranged by club member Chris Lee, were gathered by Rotarians Richard Tyler, Viv Doji, Richard Riley, Mike Axford, Kate Devine, Phil Smith, Lilian Umeakunne (who also took the photos), and Benard Arnold. They were joined by Caroline and Bill Hammill, making it a real community effort.
Once picked, members set to work peeling, stewing and bagging the apples ready for freezing. These will later be thawed, filled into individual trays, and topped with pre-cooked crumble to create the much-loved apple crumbles sold at the Fayre.
Ely’s Apple and Harvest Fayre (previously known as Apple Day) takes place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025, from 10am to 4pm each day. Visitors can look forward to a true taste of Ely, with the famous Rotary apple crumbles at the heart of the celebrations.
Rosemary Westwell, on behalf of Ely Rotary Club, said:
“This annual tradition brings our members and the community together in such a positive way. It’s hard work, but the results are worth it when we see the smiles on people’s faces enjoying a slice of Ely’s autumn harvest.”
New members are always welcome to join the Rotary Club of Ely, although, as members joked, “it’s unlikely they’ll be asked to pick 100 kilos of apples more than once a year!”
For more information or to get involved, email info@rotaryclubofely.co.uk
