Orchards have played an important role in Communities for centuries, providing a focal point, a gathering space, a place where people and nature can successfully work together, with the bonus of a tasty treat each year.
With this in mind, a few months ago, the local Tree Wardens sent out a poll on Facebook to see if there was still an appetite for a Community Orchard in the village. This was based on responses from the community back in 2022 from the Parish Magazine and other presentations last year, when asked what you would like to see in Community Park. The answer to the orchard was a resounding YES! The land identified as the potential site was within Community Park (where the rusty goal posts used to be) and so they went to the Parish Council for permission to plant on some of that land. The Tree Wardens would be very happy to help other Parishes, Community Groups, or Schools raise funds for their own orchard for the 2024/25 season.
The Parish Council gave their full support to the Tree Wardens to raise funds for the orchard and to improve the site, working with the Friends of Canada Woods and Community Park Group. Funding has now been awarded by the Tree Council and the planting will go ahead in late February. The site needs to be prepared and all those lovely people who offered help would be very welcome to come forward, fork and/or spade in hand from the 10th February. 😊
The other news is Friends of Canada Woods and Community Park, having worked on behalf of the Parish Council since 2021, now has the status of Community Group and we will be working hard to plant the Orchard with the Tree Wardens, along with raising funds to improve Community Park in terms of accessibility, educational activities, games for young and not so young, seating to create places of reflection, bringing age groups together by organising Community events, while increasing habitat corridors and the biodiversity of the land and the woodland above.
The Community Group has also been busy making applications for habitat hedging and an opportunity to plant 5 fruit trees with a golden theme, awarded in celebration of the Tree Council’s 50th Anniversary of the ‘plant a tree campaign’. We are hoping 5 people, who have shown community spirit, worked within the community for at least 50 years, or are living in the community supporting others or charitable causes, will each plant one of the ‘golden’ trees.
We are always happy to accept volunteers along with suggestions in line with the Community Group philosophy to add to the list of wants, so if you would like to get involved, please contact us in any of the ways listed below. There will also be the facility to donate for a project within Canada Woods and Community Park, or buy one of our lovely hoodies direct from the website to raise funds shortly.