The Parish Grasslands Project is attempting to set up a community orchard within our two parishes of St Briavels and Hewelsfield & Brockweir. The idea arose from our AGM in March 2017, when Chris Wedge, Natural England’s orchard specialist, gave an inspirational talk on traditional orchards to about 60 members and visitors. Because of the level of interest generated the PGP committee decided to investigate whether it would be feasible to launch a community orchard within our two parishes.
Traditional orchards are planted on vigorous rootstocks at low densities in permanent grassland, using locally traditional varieties. Once common in Gloucestershire, they have largely been replaced in commercial orchards by rows of closely planted trees on dwarfing rootstocks using a few modern varieties. These have to be grubbed up and replanted every few years. On the other hand a traditional orchard, once established, has the potential to provide fruit for generations.
We appreciate that establishing a community orchard will involve many challenges. Initially we will need to find two vital ingredients: suitable land, and a group of enthusiastic volunteers. As far as land is concerned we are open to ideas, but presumably this would have to be purchased, leased or donated, and we are keen to hear any suggestions about how this might be arranged. Please get in touch if you own or know of a piece of land that might be available, however unsuitable that land might appear to be at the moment. We will follow up all suggestions. We would also like to hear from anyone interested in getting involved with any aspect of the scheme.
There will be organisational, administrative and possibly legal work to do, as well as physical tasks such as ground clearance and maintenance, planting and pruning, etc. Chris Wedge has offered the project his full support, and training and guidance will be given for all tasks involved. One of the chief merits of the scheme, as we see it, is that it will provide an opportunity for any and all members of the local community to become involved.
If you have any ideas about the land question, or are interested in becoming involved in any way with the scheme, please get in touch by emailing info@parishgrasslandsproject.org.uk