Over the last year an enthusiastic group of volunteers in West Oxfordshire has been planning to create a new community orchard in their village. Thanks to a grant from TOE’s Local Environment Fund, these plans will soon be a reality.
The project will transform a half-acre plot into a thriving orchard and provide a beautiful green space for everyone in Clanfield to enjoy. A Community Orchard is exactly what it sounds like – a collection of fruit trees cared for and shared by the local community. A 30-year lease has been secured on a wonderful site in the centre of the village which will soon be accessible to all via a wooden pedestrian footbridge.
The orchard will be home to a range of heritage fruit trees including apple, pear, plum, greengage, damson, medlar and quince. The selection of fruit trees has been carefully curated to include both local Oxfordshire and national heritage varieties with a focus on preserving and celebrating many old, forgotten, but tasty varieties. The first of the 40 fruit trees will be planted in autumn/winter 2023/24 and a hedge of wild harvest shrubs such as blackthorn, blackberry, elderberry, hazelnut, wild cherry and crab apple will also be planted to support wildlife as well as provide a hedge for foraging.
For more information visit the Clanfield Community Orchard website.
