Marldon Apple Pie Fair

The people of Marldon owe a good deal to George Hill, who died towards the end of the last century, for he was probably the originator of the Apple Pie Fair. Members of the Hill family still live in the village and, indeed donated the trophy for the main Apple Pie Competition. During the apple season George used to travel weekly to the market at St. Marychurch on his donkey with panniers full of apples. On his return the panniers would be full of washing to be laundered by his wife. Legend has it that it was the donkey that lead George home rather than the other way round! On the day of the Annual Fair and Sports held in Cary Park, St. Marychurch, George drove a cart, drawn by two black donkeys wearing harness and reins decorated with plaited straw, round the town carrying a huge apple pie. The pie, oval in shape and about the size of a kitchen table, ended its journey at the Fair and was eaten with cream. The Marldon Apple Pie was a feature of the Annual Fair at St. Marychurch, until George died.

The event now draws together members of village organisations and residents of Marldon, Compton and Westerland in a combined effort to produce the Apple Pie Fair. The sale of apple pie and cream is a feature and attractions include various arena events, an exhibition of craft activities and the work of local artists in a large marquee, plus numerous sideshows and stalls. The opening ceremony includes the official crowning of the Apple Pie Fair Princess (with her Attendants, chosen by ballot from children in their last year at Marldon Primary School. The Opener, helped by the Princess and her Attendants, then cuts the Apple Pie, which is sold with clotted cream, as are the small pies, by the ladies of the W.I.