Here We Go Round the Mulberry Tree…

When the Community Orchard was first established, we planted many heritage varieties of apples and pears. We also planted different fruit trees with a long and ancient history. One of these was a mulberry tree. This has thrived over the years and we now get a small crop of mulberries each year.

Recently we were donated a second mulberry tree which we planted beside the Forest Garden. It has already produced a few mulberries and hopefully we will have more in years to come. Many thanks to our donors for this kind gift to the Orchard.

Storm Floris hits the Orchard!

We have all experienced some wild and windy weather over the last week when Storm Floris arrived last Monday and sadly one of our plum trees was blown down. The tree was covered with plums and would have provided a wonderful crop. Hopefully, since the tree was split from the main trunk rather than completely blown over, the plums may still ripen.

Wild Flower Survey

Six orchard members got together on a beautiful sunny evening to take part in our annual wild flower survey. Armed with reference books and apps we surveyed the whole orchard.

We identified 57 species, up from 53 species last year. Some plants such as Deadly Nightshade, Camomile, Harebells, Alkanet, Herb Robert, Hop Trefoil, Red Campion Rosebay Willow Herb, Tufted Vetch, wild carrot and Woad were not spotted this year.

We are so pleased that our species numbers are up again and how diverse the Orchard environment is!

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…. you never know what you might 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!