Author: simonandeleanor

Lanchester Boys Brigade Visit

On a warm, sunny evening, the Boys Brigade paid a visit to the Orchard. After a guided tour of the Orchard, the boys split into work groups to help with jobs around the site. One group pruned the willow bower and another group helped weed an allotment plot and the strawberry bed. Their help was much appreciated

Afterwards, the boys made good use of the fire pit, toasting marshmallows. We left them playing games and making good use of the grassy spaces. We look forwards to a return visit from them in the Autumn.

Summer Solstice Celebration!

Usually we celebrate the Summer Solstice in a shower of rain, but not this year. The sun shone for the whole event. We listened to wonderful music provided by an Orchard member and his friends and listened to poems about the solstice. Another member had prepared a quiz testing our knowledge about the sun.

In Scandinavia, it’s traditional to weave bracken crowns, so many of us added them to our sunhats. The shared lunch was amazing and we managed to get the tents down just before the rain!

Wild Flower Meadows

Our wild flower meadows are now in full bloom and you can wander through the meadows along the mown paths. We have lots of native wild flower and grass species growing in the Orchard, how many will you be able to identify?

Birdsong

The Community Orchard is a haven for a diverse range of wildlife. It’s a perfect place for a spot of bird watching and listening. Recently, using a birdsong identification App, one of members recorded the following birds, Robin, Chiffchaff, Wren, Jackdaw, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.

Oyster catchers frequently fly overhead and we often hear the rise and fall of a Curlew’s call. In the evenings, swallows and swifts dart about catching flies.

If you’re passing, why not call in and listen for a few moments…. what might you hear?

No Mow May

No Mow May is the charity Plantlife’s annual campaign urging everyone to pack away the lawnmower, let wildflowers grow freely and help nature. Leaving grass and wildflowers to grow through the summer, even if it’s just a tiny section of your garden, can make a huge difference to biodiversity and local wildlife.

We are taking part in No Mow May and are leaving large areas of grass unmown. We also have swathes of wild flower meadows under the fruit trees which encourage the growth of native wild flowers and enable insects to flourish.

Blossom Trail

We have set up a Blossom Trail in the Village to signpost everyone to the beautiful display of blossom on the fruit trees. Watch out for the signs and follow the trail up Newbiggen Lane to the Orchard. Everyone is welcome to wander around and enjoy the blossom.

Please be mindful of the narrow lane and oncoming traffic once you leave the path.

Blossom Time!

The fruit trees are now in full blossom. The whole orchard is a sea of pink and white. Why not have a wander up and indulge in some blossom bathing. The orchard is open every day dawn to dusk and all are welcome. Watch out for our Blossom Trail posters!

Maintaining the Orchard

The Community Orchard is maintained all year round by a hardworking group of volunteers. As Orchard members, we all get a share of the apples and soft fruit and in return we help to look after the trees and soft fruit beds. There’s always jobs to do for all ages and abilities. Whether you like grass cutting, weeding, scything or just pottering around, everyone’s efforts help to make the Orchard a beautiful, productive space.

Recently our focus has been the Winter pruning, however, now the weather is warming up, there will be lots of grass cutting and weeding too.

Our work session dates can be found on the ‘What’s On’ page. Why not wander up and have a look to see what’s involved. If you arrive at coffee time, then we are always happy to share cake!

Earth Hour 2025

Saturday March 22nd.

This year we will be celebrating Earth Hour again in the Orchard.

“Since our beginnings in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for the “lights off” moment, with individuals from around the globe switching off their lights to show symbolic support for the planet and to raise awareness of the environmental issues affecting it.” https://www.earthhour.org/