First Orchard Meeting

Here's what went on at the first Community Orchard meeting on 16th November 2010 in the Bakers Arms. The project is easy to get involved with, and anyone can join - why not get in touch?

Jenny outlined the philosophy of Transition – preparing for the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil and the importance of local food production for our community.

Jenny also explained the process (the long process!) of negotiation with Network Rail and the fact that our first access day was on 22nd of October when we were presented with the cheque from Stand Up Dorchester (£1,000) the comedy club. Network Rail put up a new boundary fence. Since being given access we have done some clearing and Lyn some brush cutting.

We have a rolling annual license to create an orchard. The licence does not allow for unlimited public access- we will have to have work days and events that are supervised.

Jenny asked if anyone would like to do anything else on the land e.g communally growing vegetables which we could also do. There was some interest in this and also soft fruit growing.

Also discussed the possibility of keeping bees and the fact that Transition had a bee expert who could give anyone interested bee tuition between Christmas and New Year. Kate and Sarah Jane expressed an interest.

The people in the railway cottages explained that the access path was owned by them and not a public right of way and it would not be ideal to have even more people using the path. We decided to ask Network Rail to put in a gate at the road side and prevent people needing to walk around the land on the path. The residents were also concerned that tree roots near the path would undermine the path. We decided not to plant trees too close to the fence but also reassured that the rootstocks we would be using would not be invasive.

We discussed the plans to clear the land and decided that it was probably going to need us to clear the brambles over the winter and then use Round-Up to kill the shoots in the Spring. Decided that we should clear and prepare the land this season and plant next planting season Nov- Feb 2011-12.

Jenny also explained that we were not allowed bonfires but Network Rail had agreed to supply us with a shredder to make mulch of the brambles.

We discussed the expertise in the room (considerable!) and other links we should make like Robin Walters from Shaftesbury Transition and the Squirrels from Symondsbury Orchard. It would also be good to visit Bridport Community Orchard which is quite active with lots of events. Engaging Kingston Maurward students and attending volunteer recruitment event in March may also be good.

We initially discussed having a mixed selection of trees some mainly for production but others for heritage and wildlife.

We decided on two work days to prepare for an open day to invite anybody and everybody to come and see the land. We decided the event should have a Tart and Cider theme and begin in the afternoon and then move to the Bakers Arms when it got colder in the evening. We decided the event should be at Wassailing time (we do have one mature apple tree already on the site) and be family friendly. Marion to find out when.

Ian agreed to run the mailing list for us.

The fixed work days – all welcome- everybody wearing strong boots and bring  loppers and secateurs

Are  Dec 11th 9.30-4.00

      Dec 12th 1.00- 3.00

      Dec 28th 11.00-4.00

Next meeting Bakers Arms

       Thursday Jan 6th 7.oopm

Latest news

Network Rail have agreed to put in a new gate but will not finance the shredder too- so that is over to us.

Marion found out -

‘ Wassailing is traditionally done between Christmas and twelfth night, but that can be 17th January which apparently was twelfth night on the old calendar. That is a Monday next year, so maybe that weekend? Most of the festivities focus on the oldest tree, the guardian, or Apple tree man - so we have our one big tree, that’ll do! We could do with a song - do you know any bards? ‘

The volunteer Centre felt that the Orchard would be popular and we should supply them with some information. They can also provide First Aid training.

Ian will set up orchard@transitiontowndorchester.org