A last the orchard trees have arrived and been planted. Many thanks to the volunteers at the Headstone community group - a community orchard is beginning at last thanks to change x

We now have a regular community group to help with this new project. We have planted new fruit trees such as apple and cherry thanks to Change X and mulched them and even added plants nearby to help with the tree pollination including native wildflower seed and bulbs such as crocus and daffodil . We have added sand to create bee bank to encourage bees to nest so we will have insects for the orchard and we intend to use the next money to build a children's area of raised planters to allow the local nursery children to come and learn about nature and gardening and spend more time in the park

the project is moving along very well thanks to our group of local community helpers. The next stage will be more wildflower seed added and the creation of a children's planting area to encourage children to use the park and learn about and be involved in heling nature

Today volunteers at Headstone Green planted the community orchard trees in the park - 20 trees Apple, Wild Pear, Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Pendunculate Oak, Rowan and Spindle then we also built 3 bee banks and weeded out more Dock and where the docks were we sowed a tussock wild flower grass mix.
We will be back with our community volunteers to continue to sow wildflowers and work on a child friendly area for the local children and the 2 adjoining nurseries

Hi open orchard is a chance to have fruit trees and wild flowers and a whole lot more we did a visit to One Tree Recreation Ground today and it is full of flowers.

SCHEME

Tree 1 Plum -Goldfinch WA-VIT rootstock 1.6m final ht canopy spread 3.3m tree spacing 5m
Tree 2 Plum -Curlew WA-VIT rootstock 1.6m final ht canopy spread 3.3m tree spacing 5m
Tree 3 Apple Christmas Pearmain M9 rootstock 2.2m final ht, canopy spread 1.4m, tree spacing 1.5m
Tree 4 Apple Beauty of Bath M9 rootstock 2.2m final ht canopy spread 1.4m tree spacing 3m
Tree 5 Apple Idared M9 Rootstock 2.2m final ht. Canopy spread 1.4m tree spacing 3m
Tree 6 Cherry Stella Gisella 5 Rootstock 2m final ht. Canopy spread 1.4m tree spacing 3m
Tree 7 Cherry Inga Gisella 5 Rootstock 2m final ht. Canopy spread 1.4m tree spacing 3m
Bush 8 Gooseberry Hinnomaki Yellow 1.2m final ht, canopy spread 1.2m tree spacing 3m
Bush 9 Gooseberry Hinnomaki Yellow 1.2m final ht, canopy spread 1.2m tree spacing 3m

At last - a chance to plant some early bee food - crocus and daffodil bulbs on the bank . Socially distanced and we were only allowed 2 people at this time due to Covid restrictions

initial project zoom meeting organised and has happened. Grant applied for and first set of money approved. Confirming bank account then project plan. Then we will purchase seeds/ bulbs and trees . Then to organise delivery and planting dates with volunteers

Plan for project being drawn up - to include seeds/ bulbs/ tree varieties details . Then need to purchase and arrange community digging in session

plan of the site/ trees and seeds to ordered/ timelines and costings to be added

Park users and locals can visit the orchard and wildflowers area knowing it provides education and an interesting and valuable environment for people and nature . The area, will become an educational and nature resource for the local area including local schools. People will benefit from the attractions of wildlife, nature, colour and scent. The orchard and wildflowers area will attract more families to the park thereby encouraging the use of the wider park itself, which includes fully equipped playground and fitness equipment. The new additions will provide individuals and families with an additional area to visit whilst contemplating the visual interests and its wildlife. There will be massive gains for insects, bird life and the local mammal population.

zoom meeting to discuss and plan the project and timelines

zoom meeting monday 2nd 8pm