What’s new?
5 December 2007
Community orchard continues to grow
Cambourne residents get stuck in to tree planting
Cambourne community orchard saw the planting of new fruit trees by 15 local residents including two people from DHIVERSE - A HIV and sexual health charity to mark World Aids day - on Sunday 2 December.
Despite the torrential rain, 11 local varieties of plum and pear as well as the more unusual medlar and quince were added to the orchard this year, alongside the existing apple trees. Some small hazels were also planted.
All the trees in the orchard are local varieties that would once have been grown in commercial orchards in the area. Varieties being planted this year include Cambridge gage, Willingham gage and pear Robin. The orchard will be a record of the fruit growing heritage of the region and provide a place for future generations to discover the wide variety of fruits once grown here. Earlier in the year, a medicinal plant garden was designed and installed by medical herbalist, Julie Dore, to add to the educational interest of the orchard.
“The wet summer has been good for the young trees and they have put on a lot of growth” said Jenny Mackay, one of the Cambourne officers responsible for looking after the trees. "The local community has been helping us to look after the orchard and we were rewarded with the first small apples this autumn. The orchard will provide a wonderful habitat for many birds, insects and wildflowers, as well as being a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by.”
For more information about the orchard, please contact Jenny Mackay on 01954 713516 or jenny.mackay (at) wildlifebcnp.org