Author: admin orchard

A group of us met yesterday to prepare for planting more trees on Saturday 30th November when Ovingham Community Orchard is holding its second Tree Planting and Celebration morning at 10am. There will be a group of plum, cherry, and nut trees to plant, and some more apple trees to be planted to train on a post and wire framework. We will be tending to our existing apple trees, weeding, adding mulch and putting more netting on to keep out the hungry winter rabbits. There will be tea/coffee and cake, so please come down to help or just to see what is happening and have a cuppa!

On Friday 29th, children from Ovingham First School are coming to help us celebrate our trees by decorating the trees with some special tree hangings they are busy making, so do come down on the Saturday and admire their handiwork. They are also planting some willow whips at the bottom of the field.

Last weekend the Schoales family came to the orchard field to sow a wildflower meadow seed mix on a prepared patch near the raspberries. The seeds are a mix of native perennial plants suitable for the rich soil, with added Yellow Rattle seed which, if it takes, will keep some of the grass at bay. Hopefully the patch will increase the range of flowers on the field from May to August encouraging bees and insects to visit.

After all the rain we have had recently we have finally managed to gather up the hay that Ian of Go Local Food kindly cut a couple of weeks ago. A little team helped gather the hay up and Ian has now baled it up for us and it will be returned to the field so we can use it for seating, etc. Thanks to all those who helped.

Over the summer we have also been awarded a grant from Northumberland County Council’s Community Chest Scheme toward getting a bench made for the orchard, so we will have another place to rest a while. Our thanks go to them. We hope to have it in place later in the autumn.

Many thanks to everyone who turned out on Thursday evening to help survey the Ovingham Community Orchard field to find out what lives there. The results are shown below, and the number and variety of plants surprised us. This list will be really useful in assessing what progress we make in future years towards increasing the number and diversity of plants, particularly those providing pollen and food for bees and other insects.

Come and help do a survey of the orchard field this Thursday evening (18th July) at 6 pm to find out what is growing and living there.  No experience needed, we will have people on hand to help with plant and insect identification. We would be really happy if you could join us.

What a splendid day it was at the Goose Fair last Saturday! Ovingham Community Orchard ran the Singin’ Hinnie Stall and made a good profit to add to its funds, and we had an Information Stall telling people more about the orchard and directing people to go and see for themselves. There was lots of interest and hopefully many more people have now seen it in its summer splendour, with apples forming on the trees and the grass buzzing with bees. There was also a quiz on the field and an turf lifting activity to see what lies below the grass. The answers and results can be seen below. Many thanks to all who took part and who helped make the stalls such a success.

Children from the village have been a big help to the orchard recently. Ovingham First Cubs made a splendid Bug Hotel in the corner of the field by the gate, and we hope lots of bugs will use it’s facilities! Then, just before the Goose Fair, children from the First School came with an individually made name label for each tree. Their help is greatly appreciated.

Ovingham Craft Group got productive at their 15th May meeting. Artist Daisy Macari turned our lovely logo(designed by another Daisy) into a four colour screenprinting template. The Green,Red,Brown and Blue teams then set to work using their new skill to hand print cotton bags  that will be perfect for carrying apples in come harvest time! These unique, ‘crafted with love’ items will be for sale at the Goosefair.

If you visit the orchard today you will see a very small bluebell glade under the ash tree by the gate. They should bulk up this year and put on a better show next spring. Nearly all the trees have blossomed and the bees are buzzing in the warm sunshine. The hedge is also growing strongly; we have been advised to keep the netting on it for up to 2 years to keep the rabbits off, so next year we will see it in all it’s glory.

In the dim light, and bleary eyed, we converged this morning on the orchard field to be richly rewarded by a symphony of birdsong and the sight of both the rising moon and then the sun. Loudest and most recognisable were the Song Thrush, Chiff-Chaff and the little Wren, all singing their hearts out.

The orchard looked splendid in the morning light too, with the first real show of blossom being provided by the Keswick Codling apple tree.

A great turn-out of 18 supporters and a splendid breakfast in the Reading Room too (thanks Hazel!). Maybe the start of a village bird-watching group?