90% of traditional orchards in this country have been lost since the 1950s to neglect, development or conversion to intensive modern orchards. And 45% of the remaining ones are in decline and at risk of being lost as a habitat and source of biodiversity - mainly due to the lack of replacement tree replanting.
It wa against this backdrop that Cavendish Village Hall were awarded a £5,600 Community Resilience Grant to support the restorationof the community orchard at Beeley.
As part of the restoration the orchard was mapped and an orchard plan and scheme of work and maintenance for the future created. Rubbish was cleared, the grass improved and neglected fruit trees pruned (following professional advice), including one of the largest Cherry trees in Derbyshire. The organisation researched and found Beeley Pippins (planting four new trees) and plan to do more replanting of local varieties.
In additional to these benefits the orchard offers a beautiful natural place to have wedding photographs - this will help the hall get extra bookings and income, making it more sustainable.
Dr Siobhan Spencer MBE says:
Due to the restoration work funded by the grant it was fantastic that we had a local wedding held in the orchard this August.
