Community Orchard coming to Lion Green

Exciting Community Orchard planting event, Lion Green, Haslemere

On Friday 18^th February there is an exciting community orchard planting event on Lion Green!

Volunteers, Claire and Gareth from COPSE (Community Orchard Project South East), are working with Haslemere Town Council on this project to plant a small community orchard on Lion Green, Haslemere.

This town council-led initiative aims to convert the little-used but very pleasant corner at the northern tip of Lion Green into a “Community Orchard”. In place of the existing vegetation, up until recently mostly mown grass with a large patch of rhododendron and bramble at top end, a small selection of high-quality Heritage fruit trees will be planted for community benefit. Along with encouraging grass and the existing ‘seed bank’ within the area to grow un-mown and encourage pollinators, groundwork began last autumn with changes to the grass management of the orchard area. A mown path looping around the space will, in time, facilitate public access and enjoyment of flowers, fruit and visiting insects.

We are hoping that members of the community and local organisations will join in and help plant the trees on the 18th February (see below). There are only 5 trees to plant but there’s plenty of jobs to go around – digging holes, planting, filling, fencing, mulching and watering – so do drop by between 11am and 1pm. Bring your own refreshments (but there will be cake and biscuits!), and it’s a good chance to meet other people interested in orchards, tree-planting and other associated community activities. Do circulate to your own channels too so that even if people can’t help on the day, everyone gets to hear about the new community orchard on their doorstep, particularly as we’ll need ongoing seasonal community help and input as the trees mature and need a little care to ensure they thrive and produce fruit.

EVENT ADDRESS: Lion Green, Haslemere

EMAIL: admin@haslemeretc.org

TEL: 01428 654305