Val Reid’s mouth-watering crumble won the adult section with Katie Haddow was judged best in the secondary school category. Callum Hall was best in the Primary School category.

The three judges were Rev Ollie Clegg, Rector of St Mungo’s, Rev Roy Henderson, minister at Balerno Parish Church, and nine-year-old Charlie Boag who won last year’s Primary School section 12 months ago.

The trio took nearly an hour to find the winners announced by Emma Galloway, chair of Balerno Village Trust.

One judge quipped: “I’ll not need lunch now.”

An apple press was on hand and Mark Galloway worked tirelessly, backed by an enthusiastic team who cut up the apples donated by the local community, and filled the hopper, to produced litres of juice.

Locals queued with bottles and jugs to collect the end product.

The monthly market in the Main Street has become a fixture in the calendar in the village since 2009 and on Saturday around 1,000 people attended.

There were stalls offering a selection of bread, honey, sausages, venison, five-a-day meals, preserves and vegetables grown by Balerno Village Gardeners in the garden at nearby Malleny House which is owned by the National Trust.

Greek food along with wooden furniture and the local gin were also on sale and the Eyemouth-based fishmonger, who normally comes to the village from 7.30am to 1pm every Thursday, was also there.

The outdoor café was busy and the weather played its part with a light breeze and no rain.

The market, which is a popular meeting place and regularly attracts family groups, will again be in operation in November. See Balerno Village Trust for details if you fancy coming along from 9am to 1pm.

Locals will again be encouraged to provide their views for the Local Place Plan which will help set out a path for the future. It is being produced by Balerno Community Council and elected members will be there to record your views.

CRUNCH TIME: (left to right) Rev Roy Henderson, Ollie Clegg and Charlie Boag with Emma Galloway, chair of Balerno Village Trust during judging for the Apple Bake competition. Picture Nigel Duncan

WINNER: Val Reid’s apple crumble won first prize in the adult section. Picture Nigel Duncan

SECONDARY SCHOOL WINNER: Katie Haddow with her superb apple bake. Picture Nigel Duncan

BUSY: The October Farmers Market in Balerno’s Main Street. Picture Nigel Duncan

UPPER CRUST: A selection on the bread stall at Balerno Farmers Market. Picture Nigel Duncan

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