People’s Postcode Lottery
We are delighted that funding has been awarded to help us create a new community orchard on our land at the Sylva Wood Centre.
The Wittenhams Community Orchard will be planted this coming Winter at the heart of the village of Long Wittenham, near to the church and primary school. It will serve as a new entrance to our land for the local community, with free access provided all year round.
Three separate trusts have provided funding that will support the creation of the orchard — including the trees, all-ability path and signage — while we hope to attract a number of ‘cropsharers’ to invest to help ongoing maintenance and in return receive an equal share in the products of the orchard. Fifty apple trees will be planted, alongside a few pear, cherry, walnut, medlar, quince and filberts.
A major grant from the Postcode Local Trust was received, funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Our project received over £14,000 from the Trust to establish the orchard. Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery can find out more how, by playing the lottery, they can support more charities.
Hi, This sounds good. I would plead with you to include as many old varieties as possible
Oxfordshire has its share of old varieties, include some cider apples.
Hold an apple day. Apple days raise awareness . And Please ask your resident carpenter to construct a Oxfordshire style field Gate for the plot.
Best wishes John Magee
Hi John – thanks for your comment.
We are currently choosing varieties at the moment. We are not setting out to create a traditional orchard in terms of conserving heritage, as there are many other projects that are seeking to do this. We are aiming to have a productive and healthy orchard, and naturally this may include some traditional heritage varieties in any case.
Why not tell us more about the entrance gate idea – email us at info@sylva.org.uk