Imagine drinking your own apple juice or a drop of homemade cider while picnicking in a quiet and secluded orchard in Haddenham. This image could become a reality, based on an idea being put forward by a group of local residents, who have put their heads together to come up with a good use for the open space, acquired by the parish council adjoining Townsend Green.
A Community Orchard is a place where varieties of fruit are grown by and for the local people. The orchard would provide a fantastic educational opportunity for people to learn about pruning fruit trees and making products with the fruit that has been grown, such as jams and fruit juice.
In recent years local produce has become very familiar once again. The Haddenham apple press has been very popular and there is an annual cider competition.
If the Community Orchard idea bears fruit (!) the local schools could also make use of this valuable educational resource in the heart of our village.
This project would provide a fantastic use of an unused area and could serve to bring the local community together through different celebrations and fundraising days.
The Townsend Orchard Group is seeking the views of local people as to what they would like the land to be used for and what sort of trees should be planted.
An on-line survey has been set up which includes information on the sort of thing people have been suggesting and links to relevent websites. Other suggestions for the site include a skate park and a wild flower meadow.
You can access the survey here until Monday 19th May.
The location of the proposed orchard can be seen by clicking on the 'Orchard Map' PDF file located below the image on this page.
Map © Crown copyright and database right. All rights reserved (100051997) 2014
If you need more information, please contact the group at:
communityorchard.haddenham@gmail.com
This time next year we could be admiring the blossom on the newly planted trees and looking forward to picking the fruit in the autumn!
