On Sunday after church we drove over to the Museum for Apple Day. Many people were lining up for selfies with the Big Apple [not me]
Plenty of activities - crafts to try, apples to taste. All these ones which were actually developed in Norfolk, as well as dozens of others from around the country. I asked for advice about what to do with my new plant. I was told that if it was a seedling it probably would not survive, and who knows what variety it will be? [I was not encouraged by that!]
There were lots of exhibitors at the event - craftspeople, apple growers, compost makers, spinners and weavers, beekeepers, folk dancers. 
For me, the most interesting person I met was Robin Carter, who is an illustrator. He came to Gressenhall a while back to paint the Suffolk Punch Horses on the Farm attached to the Museum. It was suggested he should bring some artworks to Sunday's event. You can see examples of his work here. But what fascinated me was his stamps. Robin illustrates postage stamps. He was asked to produce one set and the whole thing just took off. If you go to the Stamps of the World website here and type in Robin Carter, you can see just how many he has done.
A lot of places use commemorative stamps as a way to boost there economy - there are philatelists out there who will snap up the Falkland Islands Land Rover Set . Robin explained that he is given his theme, and usually works from photographs [he doesn't get flown out to Ascension Island, or wherever!] He produces a finished artwork about 6" square, then it goes back to their printers who add the "furniture" that is, the sovereign's head, the value, and other necessary wording. What a fabulous job - and one which clearly makes great use of his undoubted talents.
I am grateful to all the volunteers who gave up their day to make it a good event. There were loads of people there, and the weather was good - families were going across to the farm,and down to the adventure playground. I wished we could have had some our of littl'uns with us. They'd have loved riding the mini tractors and diggers, and sampling the fruits.
Thank you Robin and co, for making Apple Day so good this year.
That sounds a super day! I'd have enjoyed that! Kx
ReplyDeleteYou would,Kezzie - especially the music!
DeleteThat was a very disheartening answer to your apple and pear question! Protect them from frost and keep sheltered would be my response and nurture them with care and attention. Fascinating to meet such an interesting person and thanks for sharing the information about the stamps. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThank you C. I was going to pot them up and keep them sheltered over winter in the summerhouse - it is not enclosed, but it is out of the wind
DeleteHow interesting to read about the stamps. Somehow one doesn't often think about where a design has come from.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'd never thought about it before.
DeleteAnother thought, re your little trees. Talk to them, encourage them. Dont listen to people who say they wont do anything. They might surprise you!
ReplyDeleteI have been talking to my fig tree and it seems to be healthier than it was!
DeleteWe managed to grow an apple pip once (the boys did it for a school project many, many years ago). It got quite sturdy indoors and we planted it out in the garden. Ten years later we moved and it was a small tree, about 3 feet tall. We never got any apples but it did blossom. I don't recall what type apple it was just a supermarket one. I hope you manage to nurture your seedling. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteOh that's lovely. I'd be happy with blossom, even if there were no fruits
DeleteI had never stopped to think about the people who paint the illustrations that are used on postage stamps. I can't throw away used stamps and now I don't seem to have found a venue for donating them but perhaps I haven't really tried.
ReplyDeleteWe collect them at church in support of the Air Ambulance Service
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really fun day! Educational, too, having spoken with the artist about the stamps. I collected stamps at one time, then I gave the whole collection away to a friend's husband.
ReplyDeleteI've grown an apple seedling from a seed - it was a supermarket apple and I honestly don't expect it to produce apples. Most commercially grown apples are hybrids and grafted onto root stock. But, I'm happy to know that I've been able to grow a little apple tree!
When we retired, Bob passed on his ancient stamp collection to a charity, who could perhaps sell some of the stamps for funds. He'd not really bothered with it since his teens!
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