AN APPLICATION is being submitted for a Wychavon District Council Legacy Grant to help develop a community orchard in Wychbold in memory of a former parish councillor.
The project was the brainchild of Fiona Ramsell who passed away before her idea could come to fruition.
Fiona was experienced in environmental projects and had a wealth of knowledge on a variety of trees and wild flowers she wanted to see there.
She envisaged the orchard not only being an area for the community to enjoy but also a source of free fruit for generations to come.
She wanted traditional fruit trees incorporated alongside older varieties which were once grown in Worcestershire but were not so familiar today.
The wild flowers would encourage wildlife, pollinators and enrich the nutrient levels of the soil.
As part of improving the natural environment, bird and bat boxes are planned, alongside the natural foliage and water courses.
Arches and the orchard’s perimeter fencing will be made of willow which was something Fiona loved. Children and adults will be encouraged to learn how to make things out of willow as part of the project.
Seating areas and information boards (including Braille) to detail what is planted there are also planned.
As well as the natural benefits, the orchard will tackle social isolation by providing a meeting place and Wychbold School and Nursery and brownie and guide groups will be able to use it as a nature area.
Volunteers are being urged to come forward to help develop the project through planting days and any companies which can help with funding or items are also urged to get in touch.
The orchard is being developed by Dodderhill Parish Council, Worcestershire Nature Networks and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust but they want as much of the community involved as possible.
The orchard is near a recreation area and another idea mooted was for an old disused play area to be converted into a Petanque (French boules) court for older residents to enjoy.
But at a pre-application meeting last Thursday some suggested, with Petanque not being popular, the area could be better-used as something different.
It was suggested people put forward other ideas for that space when they gave their views about the community orchard.
To qualify for the legacy grant, the need for the project and the benefits to the community have to be proved.
People are urged to submit emails of support.
The legacy grant application needs to be submitted by March 5 and comments on the project by midday on February 7.
Click here for the survey and email comments in support of the project to [email protected]
