Lots of our lovely followers on twitter posted some great photos of our Cider Festival last weekend! We gathered them up for everyone to enjoy so here you go… We hope that everyone had a great weekend and that we will see you next year!

(Source: ciderfestivalkent.blogspot.co.uk)

A couple of photos of us up at Borough Market in London last week. We have a great day selling our produce on the turnips stall in the bustling market.

A Very Happy Family…

Just a quick note to say a big “thank-you” for the hamper of fruit prize from the Cherry Festival.  We drove down with the kids on Sunday to pick it up and they had another great day at Brogdale. Our son James loves cherries and he said that the Morello cherries that we included in the hamper were the “best ever” - there certainly weren’t many left by the time we got back home!

Once again, thanki-you for the hamper and we look forward to visting Brogdale again soon

……….

Founded in 2006, Brogdale Collections is a Kent charity working to secure the long term, sustainable future of the National Fruit Collection as a living collection at Brogdale. Brogdale offers annual fruit festivals and daily tours of the orchards. For more information visit www.brogdalecollections.co.uk

Cherry Goodness: So even though it was a later crop on the trees than usual and, lets face it, they haven’t had as much sun as they (and us) would have liked, last week there was still a few trees holding the last of this years cherries, so we headed out in to the orchards with our cameras to take a few photos, they were still very tasty too…

Two Charities Working Together…

In this tough economic climate it can be difficult to find your way but Pilgrims Hospices and Brogdale Collections have decided that life can be a lot easier with a friend by your side.

Last week Regional Fundraising Manager, Deborah Kellond and Pilgrims Lottery Manager, Shiralee Riddell visited Brogdale Collections in Faversham in Lotty, their Lottery promotional Smartcar and put on their best smile for a few photographs to mark the new partnership they are making.

The two charities will be working together to support each other and help raise awareness of what each charity is doing in the local and wider communities.

Brogdale will also be raising money for Pilgrims at their three fruit festivals and there will even be a ‘no bake’ off run for finalists from the  east Kent Brownies and Guides  local bake-offs which are taking place throughout the region.

Bernie Cranfield commented on the partnership, ’Brogdale Collections are thrilled to be partnering Pilgrim’s Hospice Canterbury in this our Diamond Jubilee Year.  Two local charities working together and sharing their expertise and knowledge is innovative and exciting.  Our Cherry Festival on 7^th/8^th July at Brogdale, will be the first event on this joint venture and we are determined to make this a huge success’.

There will be expanding volunteer opportunities with the two charities who rely on volunteer support in many different aspects of the organisation.

Deborah Kellond said “We are delighted to be collaborating with Brogdale this year. We both have special anniversaries this year – our 30^th and Brogdale’s 60^th – and it seemed very fitting for us to support each other.  Our Day Hospice patients have been involved already and have made some incredible vintage-style bunting for use at each of the festivals and a volunteer came to our summer fair to educate our supporters about Brogdale.  It’s a great start!”

Our Cherry Festival went by sweetly, with just a little rain, we managed to keep the smiles on our faces as many of you came to visit, taste, listen and have fun. Here are just a few photographs from the weekend…