Pupils from Taunton Preparatory School recently visited a local cider farm.
Sheppy’s Cider Farm gave Year 8 pupils an insight into the method of growing the apples, followed by the harvesting and juicing process.
The trip was part of the school’s ambition to become one of the greenest schools in the South West region, with the preparatory school’s eco-team also working on a similar apple juicing project. Pupils will be bottling and juicing locally sourced apples later this year to sell to the school community, with a mini orchard also established to facilitate future plans.
Emily Halliday, a Year 8 pupil, said: “We got to see the wide variety of apple trees of many different ages and saw how they grow and harvest the apples. We then visited the pressing house and saw the immaculate equipment and we all found it very interesting listening to how the cider is made. Although we didn’t get to try the cider, we knew it would taste good due to the delicious smell as we entered!
“We went to the museum and saw all of the old equipment before trying some of the best apple juice we have ever tasted. We all had a really fun time so a big thank you to Sheppy’s Cider Farm.”