Community Orchard at Captains Garden

The environment

Still early days, as all our trees are maidens but already in the last year we have noticed more small birds in the garden using trees as cover. The number of bumble bees, solidary bees and other pollinators is good in the garden. We also have honey bees and those numbers are also on the rise

The local economy

Still very early yet - as the fruit produced on maidens is limited. What we got in the first season was excellent . What is clear is that our visitors on open days value how the orchard is adding to the garden. Unfortunately the shop closed in 2022 and cafe opening on site has been delayed by a scheduled crossing. We know from interest in our herbs and produce from local cafes they are looking to seeing some of our fruit.

Volunteering, jobs & education

We are now in our 6th season in rebuilding the garden and the new orchard has been a spur to open many new areas in the garden. Our core volunteer group continues to grow and cover a wider range of activities. The trees need a regular amount of care, especially watering and weeding but also some more specialist skills in pruning and disease & pest control. We have had a number volunteers attend courses at Brogdale as well direct support from brogdale on site.

Arts, culture & heritage

We had a Wassailing event in March 2022 to celebrate the arrival and planting of the first tranche of trees - this involve traditional Wassailing songs and tunes, speaches and procession of about 100 people around the trees to protect the trees from evil spirits. At our open days we have music and poetry and the garden is much photographed

Activity, health and leisure

Wassailing event happen and was very successful. Our visitors love to walk around the garden & orchard on our open days. Our volunteers see their work as a key part of their individual fitness and wellbeing.