Orchards Live

(part of Dartington North Devon Trust, Charity No 281310)

Events to Encourage Exmoor Orchards

Following the success of last year’s over subscribed event, December will see another event in Orchard Live’s programme to encourage the restoration and replanting of orchards across Exmoor and surrounding areas. Orchard Live on Exmoor is supported by the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund.

The event will take place at Piles Mill, Allerford, near Porlock, on 13th December (10am to 2.30pm) and is open to all. The event will deal with the theory and practice of orchard restoration, particularly the pruning of old trees. The course will be lead by Chris Patt who has a degree in horticulture and a career in orchard management in Kent. There will be an introduction in the warmth of Piles Mill, followed by demonstration pruning in the orchard, and then participants will practice (under supervision!) on trees in the Mill orchard.

Orchards Live has been championing the cause of traditional orchards in North Devon for a number of years. It now has over 250 members, including several from West Somerset who have been attracted by its events, newsletter and equipment hire scheme. Following the success of a trial course at Piles Mill in 2007 Orchards Live invited by Exmoor National Park Authority to run a number of events in 2008/09.  “Orchards were once a big landscape feature of parts of the National Park” said Orchards Live Chairman, Michael Gee,  “our North Devon experience shows that there are quite a few landowners who want to restore or plant orchards, but who are searching for advice on what to do. Others may be at an earlier stage of considering options for their land. Our courses are popular because they are designed for laymen, are run at weekends and at just £12 are remarkably cheap.”

Orchards Live has already run courses on orchard planning, restoration and local apple varieties at Porlock, Carhampton and Withycombe. Its Spiedel Centrifugal Apple Mill has been on loan to individuals and groups, easing the process of turning apples into juice and cider.

Future events, in early 2009, include courses on Grafting at Bampton, where nurseryman Kevin Croucher will assist participants in creating trees from graft wood they have brought. At Charles, near Brayford, the process of laying out and planting a new orchard of standard trees will be demonstrated by Adam Montague.

Full details can be seen on the www.orchardslive.org.uk. Bookings should be made to Michael Ireland at michael.upover@talk21.com