THE Village Hall at Hinton St George had a delicious aroma of locally-made cider and home-cooked food as more than 100 fans of Somerset’s traditional brew gathered for the Seventh South Somerset Cider Sampling.

For a small sum, visitors could savour artisan cider from individual domestic makers as well as that from larger producers such as Perry’s of Dowlish Wake, Burrow Hill Cider from Kingsbury Episcopi and the Dorset Nectar Cider Company.

Apple juice made at North Perrott Fruit Farm was on sale as was plum gin from the host village’s Hinton Harvest.

Local author and cider expert James Crowden was present to talk about his increasing number of books on the traditions of our part of the world.

A team from Dorothy’s Tearoom in the village was kept busy all evening serving more substantial fare and local band Crooked Furrow provided a lively accompaniment of traditional music suited to the occasion.

Matthew Bryant who, with Kenton Bourne, organized the event, said: “We were delighted with the turnout and the evening seems to go from strength to strength.

“As always, and not just down to the potency of the samples on offer, there was a very pleasant atmosphere at an event that has become part of the Somerset calendar.

“One sad note concerned the absence of Hinton personality, and founder of Dorothy’s, Gill Esp who passed away earlier in the year.

“There was a pause during the evening, led by local rector the Rev Bob Hicks, for those present to reflect on Gill’s enormous contribution to Hinton St. George life.

“All proceeds from the event traditionally go to Hinton St. George village charities, but this year we are donating half the profits to Cancer Research in Gill’s memory, and this was boosted by an additional collection on the night.”