A new chapter in community cider making has begun as we introduce our latest creation — People’s Choice Cider, a special charity cider created from the apples exchanged at the cider farms first apple day held back in September 2025.

This unique cider has its roots in our first ever Community Apple Day, an event that brought people together to celebrate the region’s orchards, heritage fruit, and the traditional craft of cider making. Visitors were invited to bring their surplus apples and pears from gardens and orchards, exchanging fruit that may otherwise have gone to waste a new purpose.

The response was extraordinary, with thousands of kilograms of donated fruit collected and over 100 different apple varieties identified. Local apple expert Gerry Edward joined the celebrations to help uncover the stories behind the community’s trees, highlighting the incredible diversity of fruit growing throughout the Isle of Purbeck.

These apples were destined to become part of something bigger — pressed to create People’s Choice Cider, a true reflection of the landscape and the people who helped make it. Crafted from 100% single-pressed community-grown apples, the cider celebrates the character of locally grown fruit while supporting a cause chosen by the community itself.

The charity behind this year’s People’s Choice Cider was decided by public vote. After local people nominated causes close to their hearts, the final shortlist was put to the community, with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance chosen as the charity for 2026. For every litre of sold, £1 will be donated to support their life-saving work.

“Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is delighted to be chosen as Purbeck Cider’s charity partner for their People’s Choice cider. This initiative is a real celebration of community spirit, from the apples donated at Apple Day to the funds raised for our life‑saving charity through every sale of this special cider. We would like to thank everyone who voted for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, as well as Purbeck Cider for creating such a fantastic opportunity. Support like this enables our crew to save lives across Dorset, Somerset and beyond.” Erika Singh, Corporate Partnerships Lead

Our commitment has always been rooted in the land around us, creating naturally crafted ciders using Dorset-grown fruit and traditional methods. The People’s Choice project takes that philosophy one step further by putting the community at the heart of the process — from the apples that create the cider to the charity that benefits from every sale.

As the first of its kind, People’s Choice Cider marks the beginning of what will become an annual tradition: a cider made by the community, chosen by the community, and enjoyed for the benefit of the community.