Merton making the most of fruit that might have gone to waste

Abundance Wimbledon – an organisation that aims to use up fruit that would otherwise go to waste – held a family-friendly Fruit Day on Saturday.

The event, organised by Juliet Boyd and Briony Cairnes, was held at St Mark’s Church Hall, St Mark’s Place, Wimbledon.

On show were an apple press, stalls from Sustainable Merton, who also supported the event, Merton Friends of the Earth, a plant stall, children’s games and activities.

Inside the hall, honey, jams and chutneys were sold, and children made apple pies.

The Mayor of Merton, Slawek Szczepanski, and his daughter Maya, enjoyed visiting all the stalls and giving a hand with the apple press, producing delicious bottles of apple juice for people to buy.

Abundance Wimbledon have a large team of 40 volunteers picking hundreds of kilos of fruit from local gardens during July to September, manning stalls and making produce.

They also donate fruit and money raised to charities from this event.

Juliet said: “Once again we had a big turnout for our community venture, something for everyone and music by the wonderful Colliers Wood International Ukulele Orchestra.  This event was run by a huge team of volunteers, so a big thank you to all of them.”

If you would like to volunteer please contact them on Email: abundancewimbledon@gmail.com

Pictured top: Young apple pie makers Clara Baker-Martinez, five, and Isabella Baker-Martinez, nine. (Picture: Auriel Glanville)