Services
Woolaston Community Orchard
The Community Orchard in Woolaston was planted in May 2012. This Orchard was established with the support of local charities and aims to benefit the community by providing local produce and fostering social connections
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A map showing the trees planted in the Community Orchard has been unveiled by children from Woolaston School. -
Members of Woolaston School Unveil Community Orchard Map
Woolaston Community Orchard
Robin Larkham and Norman Taplin working with a local charity, the Arbourday Trust, with the support of the Parish Council, the Memorial Hall Committee and the Forest of Dean District Council established a Community Orchard for the benefit of the people of Woolaston on part of the land on the other side of the playing field from the Memorial Hall. In February 2012 Robin Larkham replaced the Walnut that had, unfortunately, died. It was replaced by an apple called Arlingham Schoolboys and is, for those who understand these things, on M25 rootstock.
The Hall Committee agreed to the use of an acre of land for the Orchard, and the Parish Council agreed to look after its maintenance for the longer term.
The Trust had been approved for a grant of £5,000 – 80% of the estimated total cost of the Orchard and the remaining 20% was raosed via local donations and fundraising.
The Parish Council and the local Primary School were involved in the proposal from the outset.
The Orchard Map
A map showing the trees planted in the Community Orchard was unveiled by children from Woolaston School.
The Orchard has been planted with a wide variety of fruit to include local and historical varieties and less common fruits and the intention is that, whenever the fruit becomes available it will be free to local people.
There are a number of other Community Orchards in the County, although almost all of them are on the other side of the River Severn. Most simply allow local people to come and help themselves, which seems to work well and it is hoped that the same will capply here.