About two thirds of Britain's orchards have been lost since 1960. Many of these orchards have been destroyed and replanted with cereals or built on for new road or housing development. Transition Wilmslow are hoping to reverse this pattern and aim to establish a community orchard in Wilmslow, to be open for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
We have set up a community meeting to discuss the establishment of an orchard and we'd like to invite everyone who may be interested. Katie Lowe, from the Cheshire Landscape Trust, and Mary Eastwood, who was instrumental in establishing Beechfield Allotments Community Orchard in Timperley, will be there to share their knowledge, experiences and to advise us on what to consider in setting our orchard up.
Transition Wilmslow are a new community group in Wilmslow, made up of locals who are concerned with how we can best respond to the challenges of climate change in a way that helps the community thrive. We are looking at all areas of our community, including housing, energy, transport, food and shopping, to find positive, practical ways to work together to grow and adapt our community in a more sustainable way.
Our food group, Incredible Edible Wilmslow, is looking specifically at encouraging us all to "Grow our own" in Wilmslow through various initiatives including the Wilmslow orchard.
The meeting will be held at St Annes Church on Nursery Lane, Wilmslow on Tuesday, 18th January at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Rachel Corrigan told me "We are looking at sites at Browns Lane, Summerfields and Newgate. Also near the allotments at Gorsey Bank School and on the corner near the fire station/police station.
"It will all depend on the suitability of the site for growing, and who owns the land and whether it can be used without too much cost!"
Rachel added "We'd also like to just plant isolated trees on spare land around the town to bring the orchard to the town so to speak."