Community Apple Press 

Juicing made easy, by using semi-commercial equipment to chip and press our village apples.



Many of Betchworth’s 450 households have mature apple trees in their gardens, often producing 100-150kg of fruit per tree in a good year – much of which goes to waste.  By establishing an annual Apple Press Day for the community, villagers can now make light work of turning excess produce into delicious juice, for drinking fresh, freezing or cider making.

Established in 2022 with the backing of the Parish Council and additional financial support from the Betchworth and Buckland Society, the first of these Re-Betchworth apple harvest celebrations was such a success that we ran out of bottles.  Apple yields were lower in 2023, but we still processed some 800kg of fruit on the day.  

Quality control, and the somewhat messy work of macerating, pressing and bottling are all manged in the village hall car park.  In the hall refreshments and activities for younger children keep our customers happy while waiting for their apples to be processed.  Older children are encouraged to help with the press.  The photos on these slides show the set up and later action.  

The 2024 Apple Press day will be on Saturday 5 October.  Mark it on your calendar now.