AN EXCITING new project to create a community orchard at Rowley Fields has been announced thanks to a partnership between Stratford Town Trust and Friends of Rowley Fields.
Working with local specialist The Heritage Fruit Tree Company, the orchard will feature a variety of heritage fruit trees including quinces, medlars and gages along with the more traditional apples, pears, cherries and plums. Many of the varieties are native to Warwickshire, with names like Wyken Pippen, Merryweather and the Warwickshire Drooper, and a mixture of early and late fruiting trees means the orchard should be appealing right through the summer months. At the centre of the orchard there will be a clearing for community events and for local schools to use as an outdoor classroom.
A competition is being held to name the orchard and you can get involved on Twitter using the hashtag #mycommunityorchard or by emailing abigail.johnson@stratfordtowntrust.co.uk by 27th February, 2020. The winner will be announced at a special planting day in the spring, where they will be awarded with a hamper of seasonal produce kindly donated by local farmshop and cafe, The Farm, Stratford upon Avon, www.thefarmstratford.com
Sara Aspley, Chief Executive, Stratford Town Trust said: “The orchard is going to be a real asset and focal point for the community to get together. As well as providing fruit for everyone to enjoy, it will also provide a source of food for insects, bees, birds, butterflies and small animals and help to increase the biodiversity in this area.”
Local interest community group The Friends of Rowley Fields are supporting the project with a fundraising campaign to sponsor a tree. Chair of the Friends, Gavin Griffiths said: “We are thrilled that the Trust are leading on this environmentally and community centred project that will add real value to this precious green space. We hope that as many people as possible will want to sponsor a tree or get involved in the orchard.”
For more information or to pledge towards the orchard visit www.friendsofrowleyfields.co.uk
Planting is expected to begin in early March 2020 and it is hoped that community events will take place throughout the year. You can watch our Facebook video about the plans here
Get your entries in now!