Freshly picked apples will be filling the fruit bowls of homes across Medway this week, after families gathered more than one tonne of apples from a community orchard.

Rainham Community Orchard in Bloors Lane was originally only going to be open for apple picking on the final weekend in September but good weather conditions have led to a bumper crop of apples this season.

The event is going to continue next weekend as well.

Hamish Mackay Miller, the businessman behind the project, said: “We’re very busy at the moment. We’ve had lots of young families coming up, and there’s lot of other things to look at too. There’s rabbit holes and other things they can come and explore.”

The apples are £1 a kilo, with all the money going to Kent Wildlife Trust, of which Mr Mackay Miller is an ambassador. So far they have raised £1,100.

The five-acre orchard became almost unmanageable until volunteers spent weeks clearing thistles and nettles, and it is the second year it has opened for the apple season.

Mr Mackay Miller added: “We don’t use any chemicals at all so we can’t guarantee they’re completely bug free.”

Also: a real Kentish apple pie will be baked at a supermarket in Gillingham this weekend.

Staff and shoppers at the Tesco Extra store in Gillingham will get to taste the pie which is being made by Sarah Calcutta, chairman of the National Fruit Show and Will Devlin, head chef at Windmill in Hollingbourne.

The pair will be making the pie from 11am to 3pm on Saturday October 10 and they will serve it with pepper and vanilla cream.

Pumpkin season approaches

As well as the traditional orange, Beluncle Farm in Hoo has white, pink, blue and green pumpkins ready for Halloween.

Last year’s pick your own pumpkin event was so popular, they’ve planted even more in preparation for this year.

You will be able to choose your own colourful vegetable from Saturday, between 10am and 4pm. For all the dates and more information visit www.pyopumpkins.com.