GLOOMY forecasts predicting dull and wet weather on Sunday proved unreliable, much to the relief of the organisers of Colwall Orchard Group's blossom picnic.

Broadwood Orchard, said to be the largest cherry orchard in the West Midlands, was the venue and, during the course of the afternoon, about 75 people joined the picnic, feasting on home-made cakes and drinking a range of beverages from hand-pressed cherry juice and apple juice to locally-sourced perry and beer,

Helen Stace of the orchard group said: "We had glorious weather on the day and the cherry trees were in full blossom, so we picnicked in drifts of cherry blossom petals. We were particularly pleased to see some of the young trees we had planted in 2008 in fine fettle.

"Special thanks go to Tatterstompe, who entertained us with music on their mediaeval instruments and to Felicity Robinson for bring along the Colwall School’s new free play materials. Many thanks also to Freda Ballard for allowing us to picnic in her lovely orchard."