Cider Press

The Cider Press was built by Hubert Jones of ‘Jesmond’, Redwick. It was a labour of love which took him several years to complete; it was completed in 1973.

It was built on the site of a pile of rubble; the remains of the Church House. It still incorporates a length of wall on the east side. It is situated in the centre of the village next to the church and across the road from the hall and The Rose.

Hubert was a man who was ahead of his time in realising and appreciating the importance of artefacts and equipment that were once common in the countryside. He persuaded local farmers to transport his finds back to Redwick saving them from almost certain destruction. The Cider Press gave him an opportunity to display some of these artefacts for all to see.

South Side

Shows some of the mill stones and plaques that he had rescued.

West Side

Showing some of the large stones he incorporated in the wall.

North Side

Shows a number of artefacts including the carving of a wooden carved head and a sundial.

East Side

The hand carved wooden shutters with the three themes of sporting equipment, leisure activities and tools show not only Hubert’s carving prowess but also his artistic and imaginative abilities.

The Inside

The building was given a Prince of Wales award in 1979.

The Equipment

The equipment inside the building emphasises the importance that cider once played in village life; almost every house had an orchard, some had a separate, dedicated orchard for trees for making cider. Cider making was part of the seasonal routine. Two different methods are shown; in the circular equipment a pony or donkey would have been harnessed to the handle and walked round as the heavy stone crushed the apples. At this stage most of the juice was collected.

The crushed remains were wrapped in hessian sacking and put in the press which was tightened to release the remaining juice from the apples.

Hubert incorporated other rescued millstones in the floor.

He also included plaques he had rescued as well as a fire back.