The snow white flowers of Damson blossom (Photo: www.tireedawson.co.uk)
When: 12th April 2014
Where: Low Farm, Lyth Valley, Cumbria LA8 8DJ
£: Admission costs £6 for adults, £2.50 for children (under 16 years), £15 for a family ticket, toddlers and babies go free.
What is it?
Celebrate the arrival of spring in Cumbria by heading over to Low Farm in Lyth Valley for the annual Damson Day event on 12th April 2014.
The Westmorland Damson Association began in 1996 to help save the orchards and the first Damson Day was held a year later in 1997. During spring the damson trees are in blossom with their pretty white flowers on show.
The Westmorland damson, thought to be a type of Shropshire prune, is a member of the plum family and slightly smaller than other damsons. Traditionally the damsons have grown mainly in and around the Lyth and Winster valleys in the South Lakeland area since the early 1700s. The fruit was sold by the cartload in the nearby town of Kendal, as well as being used by jam factories in Lancashire and even as a dye for the textile industry.
Today the damsons are used for a variety of products, from jams, jellies and chutneys to wine and gin. At the Damson Day there will be a whole range of damson goodies as well as crafts, entertainment and refreshments. There will be a damson competition with jams, chutneys and liqueurs being judged. In addition there will be damson inspired collage and poem competitions for children to enter. The competition tent will be open to the public on the day from 2pm.
More info: Visit www.lythdamsons.org.uk/damsonday and www.facebook.com/damsonday