Wilford Community Orchard
The Iremongers Pond Association has received a grant from TESCOs which will enable it to, jointly
with the Wilford Community Group develop a community orchard for Wilford.
What is a Community Orchard
An orchard is a collection of fruit and, sometimes, nut trees often planted among grass full of wild
flowers. Just as traditional orchards were often the centre of village life and a cornerstone of the
rural economy, Community Orchards are excellent places for people to come together to plant and
cultivate local and unusual varieties of fruit trees and to use as the focal point for community
activities such as Apple Day, open air plays, picnics, story-telling events or festivals or as a green
haven in which to relax and wind-down.
What can we use a Community Orchard for?
A place of wonder: orchard transform throughout the changing seasons, providing a different
experience with every visit. Orchards have an important place in the English countryside. Until the
1950s orchards were widespread throughout England. Since then Natural England estimate that 63%
of orchards have been lost, in some areas this is as high as 90%
A green space: a communal asset, a place for contemplation and for locals simply to be and to
rest.
A place to learn and have fun: A place to
revive our interest in fruit growing, providing a
different experience with every visit. To run
events in particular linked to spring and
harvest.
There are now many Community Orchards
both locally and nationally. For example St.
Anns Community Orchard is said to be a “lively
hub of educational and community life centred
on local children and families.”
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The Friends of the Hook in Ladybay have planted a Community Orchard of 24 trees.
Where will we build the Wilford
Orchard?
After discussion between the Iremongers
Pond Association, the Wilford Community
Group with advice from Local Authority
officers it has been decided that to use land
between the pond and the tram track would
be the best approach.
The initial planting would plant both side of
the desire path. It is the advice of LA officers
that the area should not be fenced as this
would draw unnecessary attention to the
planting.
The preferred approach is to clear this land of brambles, while retaining the existing blackthorn
hedge as a boundary. This would create a space that would enable about 27 fruit trees to be planted
in the first year.
Partnership opportunities
The development Community Orchard in Wilford would open up the potential for number of future
partnership opportunities,. We need to engage with cross community organisations to gain their
commitment to maintain the orchard. While we will be able to use existing Iremonger’s association
equipment we cannot rely solely on them to do the maintenance.
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Partnership opportunities are for example:
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Blossom Celebration
Community apple / cherry pie making day
We could create a Wilford Fruit maps – what trees are planned where in Wilford working
with schools / youth groups
Working with community groups / schools / youth groups in the planting and care or the
Orchard
Monitoring of the flora and fauna that develop in the orchard
Community Cider making day, perhaps linking with Castle Rock
Planting of trees in memory of those we love / to celebrate new life
We would welcome suggestions from organisations within the community as to how they could
make the use of the Wilford Community Orchard – please don’t be backward about coming forward.
Bill Roughton & Jonathan Shewell-Cooper
9th February 2017
Sometimes in apple country you may see
A ghostly orchard standing all in white,
Aisles of white trees, white branches, in the green,
On some still day when the year hangs between
Winter and spring, and heaven is full of light.
"The Land" Vita Sackville West
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