Help With Cider Making

I moved to Somerset from last year and since doing so I have become

very interested in the craft of Cider and Perry making its not just

the end product but its the wonderful variety of apples and pears

available and the history and characters involved in the industry over

the years.

I hope you don’t mind me asking for some help but I would like to make

my own Perry and Cider this year I have managed to get hold of a press

and a small fruit crusher for making the pulp.

However what I don’t have is a source of pears and apples that would

be suitable for the process.

I live in Somerset and I am surrounded by apples but I haven’t found

anyone willing to give or sell me any pears or apples as yet.

Which brings me to the main point, and the hope that you

would be able to help me?

Do you ever have a surplus of pears or apples that you would not mind

me buying from you?

Any help and advice on how to make and store/keep the perry? I intend

to try and get hold of some barrels I am waiting for one man to come

back to me on this issue as he has second hand barrels for sale that

have been used for whisky and I am not sure this would be ideal for

perry and would welcome your views on this?

Would like to make about 80 pints of each this year that I could pace

myself to drink with friend until the next season.

Once again I hope you don’t mind me asking but I am trying to get

everything sorted out prior to the start of this years season.