“Orchard workshops” Free

Come and learn the traditional art of fruit tree pruning from some of our local experts. It’ll be a real hands-on workshop planting new trees and pruning. Tools provided; bring gloves and warm, waterproof clothes and boots. • Monday 25th January 2010 10.00am -12.30pm Grimsbury farm, Kingswood Paul Humphreys from BTCV will be joining us to instruct on pruning a wide range of fruit trees. There may also be an opportunity to have a look at the Tree Life Centre tree nursery on-site and the new memorial woodland site. Meet in the car park. Toilets on site.

• Saturday 6th February 10.00am -12.30pm Cock Road Ridge Nature Reserve, Kingswood Learn to prune old apple trees and have a go yourself. We’ll also be tidying and clearing undergrowth around the trees. Meet Bob at the allotment entrance Hollyguest Road or Sally outside Longwell Green Leisure Centre.

• Saturday 27th February 10.00-12.30pm Cycle Path @ Station We’ll be working on some very old trees and planting some new ones. Meet on Rodway Common opposite Mangotsfield Secondary School (unless you’re cycling then see you there)!

• Monday 15th February 1.30-3.30pm Pomphrey Hill Open Space, / Mangotsfield Learn to prune new fruit trees (apple and pear). We’ll also plant a few replacement trees and have a look at some large pear trees and a mulberry. Meet at entrance off Pomhrey Hill (B4465) opp Johnson Rd, just next to Cleve Rugby Club.

• 23rd Tues February 1.30pm- 3.30pm Bath Cycle Path @ Staple Hill Tunnel Plant 4 new apple trees and prune/ tidy up one old apple tree. Also tidy around a regionally important geological site (RIGGS). Jo Wright will be teaching us about planting techniques. Meet in the car park, Station Road, Staple Hill.

Call Sally for directions or info on 01454 863556 [email protected] These are a series of five informal training sessions looking at the planting and aftercare of fruit trees. The half-days will be fun and interesting, learning about different fruit trees and getting some hands on experience. Each session will take place on Council open space as part of the Wildways project. Anyone who attends one or more of the workdays may be eligible for a City & Guilds Horticulture certificate through college accreditation.