The snow white flowers of Damson blossom (Photo: http://www.tireedawson.co.uk)
When: 11th April 2015
Where: Low Farm, Lyth Valley, Cumbria LA8 8DJ
£: Admission costs £6 for adults, £2.50 for children and £15 for a family ticket. Toddlers and babies go free.
What is it?
Every year in Cumbria a celebration takes place to herald the arrival of spring and the damson blossom. Damson Day takes place in the Lyth Valley with local crafts, entertainment and refreshments on offer to visitors.
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.
The Westmorland Damson Association began in 1996 to help save the orchards and the first Damson Day was held a year later in 1997. 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 also be a damson competition with jams, chutneys and liqueurs being judged.
During spring the damson trees are in blossom with their pretty white flowers on show, so what better time to celebrate this unique fruit?
More info: www.lythdamsons.org.uk and www.facebook.com/damsonday