A Proposal To Start A Community In Great Wymondley

We propose to make a community orchard at the far end of the recreation field adjacent to the Forest School site. This land is owned by the Parish Council and would still leave ample space for other recreational activities for the community. The Recreation Field would still be available for people to walk round as they do now. There is a long history of commercial growing in Great Wymondley both top and soft fruit. There was even a Jam Factory in the Village Hall during the War.

What can your eye desire to see, your nose to smell, your mouth to take that is not to be had in an orchard. William Lawson: A new orchard and 1618

We have shown two different layouts of the tree planting. The first has a rectangle for the orchard with a post and wire fence all round with a gate. We would apply for free hedging from the Woodland Trust from their Community planting scheme. The fruit trees would be planted in a traditional grid formation with straight cut paths through them. After visiting several community we think that we could have a more informal and open aspect orchard with cut grass paths winding through the trees and somewhere for people to sit and enjoy the orchard throughout the year.

Community Orchards can be beautiful places in which to grow fruit, improve our diet and provide resources to share with the community. Almost 70% of our apples are imported yet you can grow more than 2,000 varieties of apple. The apples that we buy in shops have often been sprayed multiple times a year.

In preparation for this project we have been in communication with Martin Hicks the Senior Ecology Officer for HCC, Howard Jones the Project Manager for Orchard East and Sally Wileman, the Orchard Manager at Potton Community Orchard. They have provided invaluable guidance and support.

The Benefits • Growing unusual varieties and some heritage ones including local named fruit trees • Eat organically grown fruit • Create a rich environment for wildlife • Provide a nectar rich resource for pollinators • Give seasonal displays of blossom • Provide a quiet and calm space beneficial for health and well- being • The adjacent Forest School site could use it as a resource • Be an educational resource for the wider community • Opportunity for tree planting in line with the NHDC climate change policy • Wheelchair friendly access as all on one level

Research • Attended Orchard East one day course at Tewin Orchard • Grafting Workshop at Buckingham Nursery • Visited Potton Community Orchard and met with Orchard Manager • Visited Codicote Community Orchard • Visited Dunton Community Garden and Orchard • Visited Jeacock’s Orchard in Tring

Organisations Promoting Community Orchards • Orchard East • Hertfordshire Orchard Initiative • People’s Trust For Endangered Species • Common Ground • www.gov.uk

Events Once the orchard starts to be productive in 3-4 years we envisage the following events. • Spring Blossom walks and picnics • Apple picking and juicing • Holding an Apple Day • Publishing an Orchard Cookbook • Holding a Winter Wassail • Teaching orchard skills such as and grafting

Costings • All the fruit trees with guards and stakes would come from Orchard East at no cost This support offer is strictly time limited and will not be available at a later date Orchard East has confirmed that they will be happy to provide 30 trees assuming that the Parish Council will agree and the project is able to go ahead • We may have to have additional tall guards to protect against Muntjac deer • There is a water supply to the Recreation Ground which has a meter and a stopcock to prevent wastage. The young trees will need to be regularly watered during their first year. The amount of water used would be fairly minimal • Some post and wire fencing if deemed necessary • We imagine that we would get sponsorship for each fruit tree from the people in the village whereby they can chose one of the trees, help it, take an interest in its development and the sponsor money can used for maintenance costs and any upkeep • An interpretation board with the plan of the fruit trees, names of the trees and any other information would help to inform and educate

Planting • A variety of fruit trees, as on the accompanying list, with the addition of six heritage varieties rescued from the Lucas Lane development site in Hitchin, once the site of a Victorian and grafted on to new rootstock • The trees will be planted on MM106 rootstocks (half standard) so that the use of tall ladders can be avoided when picking • The orchard would be managed organically

Maintenance • The perimeter would be cut by the normal recreation ground contractors. The pathways within the orchard would be cut with a rotary mower by us and any volunteers • The tree sponsorship will hopefully encourage volunteers to help with maintenance • The pathways would be cut short and the other grass would be cut less frequently to 6 - 8 inches to allow development of wild flowers • The base of each tree would be kept clear of grass and have wood chippings down while they get established • There will be seasonal pruning