Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceSymondsbury Apple Project, Dorset
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Symondsbury Apple Project, Dorset
In 1999 the project was set up by two local families in order to restore an old cider orchard in Symondsbury, West Dorset. We began with pruning trees, laying hedges, erecting fences and battling with the ground cover. West-country varieties of standard trees were planted. Many other trees have received care and attention over the years and all this caring for trees has resulted in lots of apples. So the latest initiative is designed to find ways to use up all the fruit.
Autumn 2003 saw the launch of The Fruit Swap, which hosts community apple pressing events and makes small-scale pressing and preserving equipment available for hire. We also put people who have fruit in touch with people who want fruit, so if you fall into either category we would love to hear from you.
As part of the communtiy Fruit Swap project, Symondsbury Apple Project asked the poet, writer and one-time cidermaker to look into the history of orchards in Dorset using the 1839 tithe maps at the county archive. He found a wealth of orchard heritage in Symondsbury alone: 100 acres of apple and cherry orchard in the parish 1839. The Heritage Orchard Year was launched to look further into the county's orchard history and to promote research and encourage other groups to look into their own local heritage, funded by the Leader+ programme and th Local Heritage Initiative.
The project has produced a new booklet in 2005, a guide based on their own tried and tested research methods and their efforts to track down varieties and restore and plant orchards in the county. It is called 'Dorset Orchards: Research-Restore-Replant' and is available for £1 at the Centre For Local Food, The Bridport Museum, Groves Nurseries and Washingpool Farm Shop or by sending a £3 cheque or postal order made out to Symondsbury Apple Project, The Centre for Local Food, Unit 17, St. Michael's Industrial Estate, Foundry Lane, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3RR. See www.appleprojetc.org.uk for more information.
Celebrations and events
An Easter egg hunt is held every year. It is a magical time when older children make environmental sculptures amongst the trees and invent a story to inspire the younger ones on their search. The event delights parents and children alike.
Apple Day falls in October. The village sports pavilion becomes the Apple Cafe serving drinks and apple cakes galore, we play weird and wonderful apple games have competitions, storytelling, local producer stalls, a display of named varieties and apple pressing.
Environmental Learning
Currently in development, The Tree wise project will facilitate learning experiences of the natural world for parents and children with an emphasis on woodlands and orchards.
A calendar of events including celebration, environmental work, environmental sculpture and storytelling will provide regular opportunities for meaningful outdoor play. Each event will be lead by an experienced leader on sites around the Bridport area of West Dorset.
Symondsbury School Garden
From the start the Apple Project has sought to lend help and expertise to other local organisations and in 1999 two old Bramley trees at the local school received much needed restoration work. Early in 2000, members of the project along with parents and children created a food garden based on natural woodland with trees, fruit bushes, herbaceous plants, willow arbour, sitting circle and herb garden.
Courses
Annual training courses offer tree care and pruning days and will be extended to cover grafting and organic orchard management. Expert advice from our Apple Doctor is available at surgeries on Fruit pressing days and apple days and to members free over the telephone. Site visits are offered for a small fee.
Join SAP
Membership costs just £5.00 per year for individuals and £8.00 for families. Members can take part in events and celebrations, benefit from a reduction on training fees and are able to hire equipment.
To join simply fill in an application form and send it to:
S.A.P.
Unit 17.
St Michael's Industrial Estate.
Foundry lane
Bridport.
Dorset DT6 3RR
NB. The information given remains confidential and is used only in relation to your membership of the project.
The project now has a web-site.
