A new community orchard has been established in Cuddesdon and Denton, with support from the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) and South Oxfordshire District Council.
More than 30 volunteers took part in planting 89 fruit trees earlier this month. The trees – apple, pear, plum, greengage, damson, apricot and cherry – were planted across half an acre of rough grass on a field next to the recreation ground at Denton Hill.
The work was organised by the Orchard Committee of Cuddesdon and Denton Parish Council, led by committee chair Nicko King, with the aim of providing a new habitat for insects and birds, as well as an annual crop of free fruit for the village.
Thanks to a combined grant funding of around £8,000 provided by South Oxfordshire District Council and its funding partner TOE, the group bought 47 trees, compost and equipment including posts and netting, A further 42 trees were donated by villagers and raised by local expert fruit-grower Ron Stern. The group had previously planted a number of mature apple and pear trees last year, bringing the total number of trees in the orchard to 102.
The field was leased by the Parish Council at the end of last year from landowners Richard Farrant and Susan Jupp.
The group aims to provide benches and tables in the orchard and improve access from the recreation ground and is planning a village picnic in the orchard this summer. In years to come juice produced from the trees’ fruit could be a source of income towards maintenance of the orchard.
Mr Stern, who chose some older and uncommon apple varieties, including Devonshire Quarrenden, Asmeads Kernel, Butterball Crab, Christmas Pippin, Howgate Wonder, Slack ma Girdle, and Bloody Ploughman, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together around the joy of a wide range of home-grown fruit – some quite unusual – in a wonderful setting.”
Chris Luke, Chair of the Parish Council, said: “We are all very grateful to the Farrant family for the lease of the land and to TOE and SODC for their financial support”.
South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for the environment and ward councillor, Cllr Sam James-Lawrie said: “As a district council this is just the kind of project we are delighted to be able to support. Small traditional orchards, like this one, are making a slow comeback after a decline and there are very many good reasons. Not only do they provide habitat for a surprisingly diverse range of wildlife thanks to the mix of tree types not available at a commercial orchard, but they also offer a focal point for the village. A place where people can come together and enjoy space in nature. This is great work by the parish council and all those who have repeatedly turned up to help.”
Ben Heaven Taylor, CEO of TOE, said: “Everyone at TOE is delighted to have awarded the Cuddesdon and Denton Parish Council a grant to create the community orchard. Spending time outside brings health and well-being benefits to us all and this project, which helps both people and wildlife, is the type of initiative we love to support. We know grants from TOE make all the difference to grass-roots projects which might not otherwise happen and we’re proud to be part of this.”