Press Releases

From 10am – 5pm this Saturday and Sunday, visitors can enjoy a diverse display of apples; old Welsh varieties, the apples everyone can grow in the smallest of gardens and allotments, and the unknown types growing in back gardens and along the highways.

During the festivities we will be searching for the ‘lost' culinary variety called Gabalva which was known to grow well in Cardiff area around 1880 – 1920 and sold by Treseder's Nursery. Details and pictures of this variety will be on display at the event and anyone who thinks they are growing it in their back garden are encouraged to bring a few samples of fruit with them.

Andrew Dixey, Estates Manager, St Fagans: National History Museum said:

“Historically, apples have strong associations with Halloween in Wales and celebrating Apple Days at St Fagans this weekend gives us the opportunity to bring some of the old traditions alive. At this time of year farmers used to prepare for the winter season through harvesting crops such as apples; people used to fill a bowl half full of water and apples then tried to catch the fruit with their teeth; and they also believed if the apple peel made the shape of a letter on the floor, it signified the first name of the person they would marry.

“This Saturday and Sunday, there will be an opportunity to learn about and taste over 400 unusual varieties of apples, enjoy toffee apples and watch J P James from Hereford make cider in the traditional way. The restaurant at St Fagans will continue the theme serving dishes with apples.”

In addition if you would like to unpeel the story behind Sarah the ghost who is said to reside at St Fagans Castle or watch the burning of the Wicker Man, Halloween activities at the museum will continue on 30 and 31 October. Halloween at St Fagans:

28 – 29 October
Apple Days; making cider, apple displays, toffee apples, apples on the menu.
Making the Wicker Man

30 October
Making the Wicker Man

31 October
Apple Bobbing (1pm – 3:45pm)
Goulish ghost stories (2pm)
Burning the Wicker Man (4:00pm)

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, National Wool Museum, National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and the National Slate Museum.