The community orchard

A community orchard is being planted in a field adjoining Bourne Wood at the Beech Avenue entrance by the Friends of Bourne Wood. The project began in 2012 with the planting of the first batch of 38 fruit trees sponsored by local residents.

The Friends have secured a 15 year lease on the paddock and the trees will be purchased with donations from members of the public. The trees will not be marked by a plaque as commemorative plaques are considered to be a hazard during management procedures but a list of donors will eventually be available on the notice board at the entrance to the orchard.

The cost of one tree including stake, guard, ties etc is £30 and donors are being invited to select a specific species from an approved list. A certificate is issued once the donation is received followed by a map showing where the tree has been planted.

The trees are a mixture of apple, pear and plum, with a couple of cherry and a medlar to give a mixed orchard in years to come. It will have a natural feel with trees planted in groups and protected by wooden guards with a wildflower grass meadow which is being created around them and will be maintained organically and is expected to provide a habitat for wildlife.

Several of the donors planted their own trees and a greengage was also planted by the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Helen Powell and an apple tree by members of Bourne Garden Club on Saturday 23rd February 2013 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

The orchard opened to the public on Saturday 29th June 2013 and from now on, visitors will be welcome on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am until 6 pm although closing hours will vary during the winter months. Volunteers will be on hand to talk to visitors and hopefully recruit more volunteers to help with ongoing maintenance tasks such as weeding around the trees and mowing the paths.

The Friends are also seeking sponsors to help add benches, picnic tables and a public notice board to display their announcements.

REVISED JULY 2013