The Orchard
The Nature Walk
The Nature Walk
The Blunt family had a large orchard behind their house where they grew apples, pears and plums. They had fruit bushes, grew vegetables and they also kept chickens. However, after Jim, Edith’s brother died and Edith got older the orchard became neglected. When the Trustees first inspected the orchard they found it heavily overgrown; trees with rotten branches, a profusion of stinging nettles, brambles and elder bushes. There was also plenty of evidence of wildlife including rabbit holes, a badger set and deer markings. However, Edith had specifically mentioned in her will that she wanted the orchard area turned into a nature walk for village residents to enjoy.
Trustees decided to partially recreate the orchard as it would have been many years ago but to also make it an area where families could enjoy walking, relaxing and picnicking.
The Blunt family had a large orchard behind their house where they grew apples, pears and plums. They had fruit bushes, grew vegetables and they also kept chickens. However, after Jim, Edith’s brother died and Edith got older the orchard became neglected. When the Trustees first inspected the orchard they found it heavily overgrown; trees with rotten branches, a profusion of stinging nettles, brambles and elder bushes. There was also plenty of evidence of wildlife including rabbit holes, a badger set and deer markings. However, Edith had specifically mentioned in her will that she wanted the orchard area turned into a nature walk for village residents to enjoy.
Trustees decided to partially recreate the orchard as it would have been many years ago but to also make it an area where families could enjoy walking, relaxing and picnicking.
The first task was to attack the nettles, brambles and elder and although the Trust members were not keen on chemical spraying it was the only way to eliminate such rampant growth. After the spraying the Trust contracted Kelvin Judd to work regularly in the orchard and he has single-handedly transformed the area, pruning every tree, removing those that were not safe or salvageable and generally tidying the whole space.
Arrangements were made for the construction of a path convenient for wheelchairs and pushchairs and the erection of fences and kissing gates suitable for easy access at both ends of the orchard. We negotiated and arranged a legal right of way across a neighbour’s land at the Stonehouse Road end of the orchard. The Trust have bought and had donated hundreds of tree seedlings and saplings which have been used to fill gaps in the orchard and to plant a hedge all along the eastern edge of the orchard, the Woodland Trust being a major contributor providing a total of 104 trees and saplings. The Trustees and volunteers from the village have planted fruit bushes, flowering shrubs, hedging plants and thousands of bulbs. Mention must also be made of the sterling work that has been carried out in the orchard by the Community Payback Workers.
There is now a picnic area and tables and several benches will soon be installed. The Trust wants the area to be of educational benefit to the children of the village so very soon there will be a shelter, open on one side, for local schools and play groups to use. Many of the felled fruit wood logs have been recycled to create stepping stones for children to play on.
Once the adjoining housing estate roads are completed the Trustees plan to tarmac an area of the car park and mark out some disabled parking bays and dog waste bins will be installed at each end of the orchard, a facility which we will ask all dog owners to use. Once the tarmac and drainage have been completed then the remaining fencing will be completed. The Nature Walk has been a primary focus of the Trust’s activity to create an amenity that will serve the village for generations to come.
The first task was to attack the nettles, brambles and elder and although the Trust members were not keen on chemical spraying it was the only way to eliminate such rampant growth. After the spraying the Trust contracted Kelvin Judd to work regularly in the orchard and he has single-handedly transformed the area, pruning every tree, removing those that were not safe or salvageable and generally tidying the whole space.
Arrangements were made for the construction of a path convenient for wheelchairs and pushchairs and the erection of fences and kissing gates suitable for easy access at both ends of the orchard. We negotiated and arranged a legal right of way across a neighbour’s land at the Stonehouse Road end of the orchard. The Trust have bought and had donated hundreds of tree seedlings and saplings which have been used to fill gaps in the orchard and to plant a hedge all along the eastern edge of the orchard, the Woodland Trust being a major contributor providing a total of 104 trees and saplings. The Trustees and volunteers from the village have planted fruit bushes, flowering shrubs, hedging plants and thousands of bulbs. Mention must also be made of the sterling work that has been carried out in the orchard by the Community Payback Workers.
There is now a picnic area and tables and several benches will soon be installed. The Trust wants the area to be of educational benefit to the children of the village so very soon there will be a shelter, open on one side, for local schools and play groups to use. Many of the felled fruit wood logs have been recycled to create stepping stones for children to play on.
Once the adjoining housing estate roads are completed the Trustees plan to tarmac an area of the car park and mark out some disabled parking bays and dog waste bins will be installed at each end of the orchard, a facility which we will ask all dog owners to use. Once the tarmac and drainage have been completed then the remaining fencing will be completed. The Nature Walk has been a primary focus of the Trust’s activity to create an amenity that will serve the village for generations to come.
Orchard Updates
April 2021
A clear, sunny but cold day greeted a small working party that assembled in Blunts Orchard to plant thousands of Muscari bulbs. Five Trustees and three volunteers completed the task in just over an hour despite the dry, hard ground; surely a prime example of many hands make light work. These will flower next Spring and with the snowdrops that have just been planted and then the daffodils last Autumn they should make a fantastic display of Spring flowers. The Trust has also been promised some wild Violets and native Bluebells which will be planted as soon as weather and ground conditions allow.
Already families are using the orchard for walks and someone has carefully placed a small magic fairy door on one of the old apple trees, an entrance into Narnia or Hobbit world perhaps?
Working and planting in the morning was a good plan because within a few hours the clouds closed in and the village was on the receiving end of high winds, snow, hail and rain.
January 2022
The ground is at present, cold and wet but Snowdrops are slowly appearing and by the day of the next working party should be in full bloom. The next working party will be on Sunday 30th January at 10.00 am. Volunteers to assist in the planting of hedging are extremely welcome but do remember to bring a spade and wear waterproof boots.Bright yellow Aconites are already flowering and are giving a hint of the benefits of the hard work carried out by Trustees and the ever important volunteers last year.
A sign has been placed next to the entry gate outlining some simple rules for visitors to the orchard and one of the points is the removal of dog waste, take it away and bin it, please do not throw the used bag into the trees as one dog walker had done; someone has to retrieve the bag.
The ‘Educational Hut’ is in place with only the wood chips to be spread in front of the structure. The lockable display panels are also in place.
There has had to be some tree surgery on the old Damson trees which are showing their age, this was for both Health and Safety reasons and to encourage new growth. It is hoped, that despite their age, they will recover and continue growing but as a precautionary measure new trees will be planted to ensure continuity. The felled timber that has been left behind will encourage wild life.
Visitors to the orchard have expressed the pleasure and enjoyment they have each day, incorporating it into their daily constitutional.
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