Mrs. Joyce Thomas, MBE-DL, the Mayor of Ross, Councillor Derek Bedford and his wife Meryl were pleased to be asked to judge a pumpkin lantern contest on Saturday at the Victorian indoor market. There were lots of spooky exhibits entered into the competition, which was organized by Alistair and Vanessa Burley of The Pumpkin Deli.

Choosing between the entries was difficult and in the end it was decided that there were joint winners. These were Laura Jane Thomas whose pumpkin can be seen in the hands of Mayoress, Mrs. Meryl Bedford and Christine Palmer, whose entry is being held up by Mrs. Thomas The winners each received a prize of £15.

Every Sunday throughout the cider producing season, Fiona and Dave Matthews from 'Seidr Dai' in Cardiff have been visiting Ross Cider at Broome Farm with cider making friends to use the facilities in the Cider Barn and produce their own cider and perry.

'Seidr Dai' have their own cider press in the barn and on Sunday, I went along to watch them press apples as part of the production process. During the morning, the group picked fruit in four Monmouthshire orchards and pressed the apples and pears to extract the juice at Broome Farm. The juice is then taken back to Cardiff, where it is fermented to make cider and perry for next summer.

Having watched the process I went to the Broome Farm cider cellar, where I spent some time with Ross Cider's Mike Johnson and friends. I had not intended to drink that afternoon but was tempted to try the Ross perry. I am now addicted and have placed my order for Christmas. Well worth a try - but don't drink too much unless you are where you want to be spending the night - or have somebody to take you home!

The pictures below show the Welsh cider makers, Fiona, Dave and friends during the pressing process, extracting the juice using their own cider press.

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