Community Orchard Project

The traditional orchard offers a landscape of tall trees changing with the seasons, fruit of many kinds, good soil and an array of wild life.  A Community Orchard adds to that rich mix, a place to learn and exchange knowledge, to seek quiet contemplation, a place for social play and work and somewhere to explore and show off how to live well with nature.  Once trees are established, they can provide a large yield of fruit year after year for decades, requiring little human input.  They can also help tackle global warming, support the rich heritage of the UK's fruit tree stock and provide an educational resource for local schools.  They can also be a focus for community activities and events such as weeding, mulching, pruning etc.

Updates and information about the Community Orchard Project can be found below:

End 2025:

The Community Orchard now enters its 6th year.  Fruit trees have produced a fair crop, and there is also a Kentish cobnut and a walnut tree.  The orchard now has 2 benches, and the oak tree has various bird feeders.  Maintenance of the orchard continues throughout the year with pruning and mulching.  Weeds are removed by hand, in particular Alexanders, and the grass paths are mown by the Shotley Parish Council contractor.

In Autumn, the final meadow grasses are raked by hand by orchard volunteers.  In addition to the trees, there is an insect hotel and a stag beetle site, both constructed according to standards set by the Dedham Vale and Suffolk Wildlife Groups.  During 2025, the removal of dead elms on the perimeter of the orchard enabled the construction of a dead hedge to provide further habitats for insects and small mammals.  

The orchard is for the community to enjoy the space, and is also an opportunity for anyone wishing to volunteer to help.  If you would like to accassionally come and help maintain this beautiful landscape, please contact the Parish Council.

Public Information Notice - 30 December 2019
Orchard Update - 26 January 2020
Orchard Update - 28 January 2020
Orchard Update - 24 February 2020
Orchard Update - 13 July 2020
Orchard Update - PC July 2020
 

If you are interested in being part of this community project, please get in touch with Ms Peta Hillier on 01473 787819 or email the Parish Council on Parish.Clerk@shotleyparishcouncil.org

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