Orchard Project 2021

HI Parish/School Allotment Journey

The arrival of Covid 19 and the subsequent lockdowns that began  in March 2020, led to a significant change in the way the volunteer group of parishioners had  previously worked with the children at the allotment. Following discussions with  Ryan Langford (Headteacher) it was decided to maintain the allotment, by continuing to grow crops so the children that were in school would be able to visit the allotment and  see the growing crops potatoes, onions, carrots, peas, beetroot, lettuce, tomatoes, herbs and flowers etc although the group would not be working directly with them during this time.   And this is how things have been for most of 2020 and 2021. 

The Orchard 2021

While the volunteer group have missed the interaction with the children, It also gave us time to think more about the possibilities for the field adjacent to the allotment.  For some time, we had entertained the idea of  starting a fruit orchard, because of  the many health benefits as well as creating havens for biodiversity.

But planting an orchard is a responsibility.  And unlike the crops grown at the allotment it is not a one-off crop to be enjoyed over a few months; an orchard will transform a field into a landscape, provide an ecosystem and become a place of fruitful abundance; the hope is it will continue to do this over decades to come.

With these and other exciting thoughts in mind  there was  much to consider especially whether the field adjacent to the allotment would make a suitable orchard;  looking at one or two specimens that the school had  planted over the years they did not seem to be doing too well!

So, we would need to test the soil and improve it if needed.  Before considering   which  fruit trees apples, pears, plums, cherry etc  would be most appropriate-while ensuring, pollinator groups were compatible, the height of trees, cropping times to coincide with term times and a host of other things.  Our aim being to  enlist the help of the school children in the project from the outset so that they would be engaged and involved in the  growing, care, maintenance and harvest of the fruit trees.  And this took up our time pre and post Easter.  We were also delighted by parishioners and others who when asked what they thought about the idea of starting an orchard? Responded positively by offering to  buy and donate  fruit trees.

But where to start? 

While the volunteers have a good knowledge of growing vegetables, we needed to augment our basic knowledge about fruit trees.  We turned to various specialist nurseries for guidance, to better understand the task that lie ahead.  And so, it was by a fortunate stroke of serendipity, one nursery in particular after hearing our explanation that we were gathering information on behalf of our local school told us about a considerable opportunity for our project!  Briefly the Harmony Project  began an orchard regeneration project to mark the 70th birthday of HRH The Prince of

Wales in 2018. The project saw the planting of heritage apple trees in ten primary schools across the UK. Since then, they have encouraged the planting of fruit trees

in other schools across the country.

As you can see the field has a thick layer of grass, once the top layer of grass was removed, we found the soil looked  reasonably good.  We had also discussed soil compaction with the experts who suggested  the area recommended for each site 0.75m.sq at a depth of 30 centimetres (1ft).  would be a sufficient  size for the trees.  They confirmed what others had said that tree roots are robust and would be able to travel through the compacted soil.  There were several  large pieces of flint found in the test sites, these and all the grass around the tree had to be removed.

Two members of the group  agreed to meet on site at the end of May, to map out the trees and spray the grass with a circle to denote each site.   Nick had made a start on three squares by removing the grass layer.  All went to plan however Tony’s dog Amber managed to get herself caught up in a laurel bush and  long story short, he had to unclip her lead to free her. Once Amber was free, she shot off following a fox trail and disappeared.  We were distraught as Tony was leaving for holiday the next day and faced the prospect of telling his wife and daughter that Amber had disappeared!!!  Frantic calls and looking up and down the road yielded no sign of Amber  but several prayers later a lady living close by called Tony’s mobile (Amber had a collar tag-thank God!) to say she had found Amber. What a relief!!!

No Easy Dig

With the site marked out we were ready to start the dig the following week. But as we started it  did not seem possible that just one small site could produce one wheelbarrow of turf, ditto earth, ditto flint and stones. What was thought to take 30 minutes took the best part of two hours.

We were not  prepared to find, at a depth of six inches, a shelf of flint, which was a feature of  every  single site, bar one. Spades were redundant, forks were a life saver.   This meant the process of digging the 20 plus sites would be extremely slow!  I had also been speaking to Steve Westcar who  generously  offered to help and who has provided invaluable improvisation and expertise.  Starting with a template for the sites so that they would be the correct shape,  ‘square’,  ‘not round’!  With our volunteer group augmented by Steve and the Mum’s Katerina and… from the school, we continued to strain  every muscle and by June 9  we had 7-8 sites dug.

A Community Endeavour

Mentioning the need for more muscle to Steve Pallett at Mass one day  he said, “What about the Scouts?”   An excellent suggestion! So contact was made with Gary Leggett Group Scout Leader 9^th Orpington Air Scout Group and he came on site to see the sort of challenge we were up against.  And we were bowled over by his offer of help, by arranging for the Cubs, Scouts and Beavers to lend a hand. 

Within a few days and with the sun shining on 15 June, we were delighted to welcome the Cubs:  Sebastian, Amber, Mia, Daniel P, Myah, Sophia, Enge, Harvey, Xanthe, Rosie, Florence, Leo, Dominic, Michael, Sophie, Tilly, Adit, Nathaniel, Lizzie, Lewis R Georgie, Ethan, Meridy, Lewis J, Oscar, Daniel  and their leaders Jerome,  Chris, Kenny, Don, Sam...)

It was such a joy to see the Cubs in action their enthusiasm, commitment and work ethic, created such a lively buzz on site as working together, they helped transform a significant number of the sites, removing large roots, stones and large pieces of flint to make them ready for planting.

One of the adults brought along a new tool ‘the mattock’, a bit like a pick-axe but it was invaluable in crushing the unyielding flint.  

The following evening a large group of  Scouts: Sean, Ethan, Izabella, Isabella Rosalind Tristan, Olivia, Katie, Jessica, Jacob, Lilly, Dylan, Benjamin, Alice, Phoenix, Arjan, Sophie, Billy  who continued  the work and led by their leader Dave…

Their enthusiasm, infectious as they brought their problem-solving skills to bear on the unyielding flint, roots and stones;  they made a valuable contribution  achieving much in a relatively short space of time!

The Beavers were due on site on  Thursday evening but unfortunately heavy rain meant they were not able to come.  We had a message from Gary Leggett:

“ I am so glad that we were able to help you with this project.  I know that the cubs and scouts enjoyed themselves too.”

Blessing the Site

We now had 20 sites that were ready to receive the trees;  it also meant that we would be able to invite Father Victor to bless the site on Monday 21^st June before he left for a short holiday in Malta.   And he brought with him, much needed rain, his timing perfect!  Things were looking up!

Everyone is getting excited as the  long wait is over.  We  expect to take delivery of the 20 trees with planting scheduled for Thursday 1st July.  

Selecting and Planting

Ryan Langford (headteacher) arranged  for the year 6 children to come and select a tree and in small groups they worked together and having listened intently to the instructions for planting, carried them out to perfection and in such a calm and professional manner.

We can’t wait to see the  fragrant blossom the promise of fruit in the future but also the many health benefits that these trees will bring to this place.  Children will be able to picnic under the trees , perhaps some sketching…the possibilities are endless… And we must be ready in due season for the fruit so please do let’s hear your thoughts on what to do with, an abundant harvest if not this year, then  perhaps in 2022!!!

Grateful thanks to all those involved.