The 30th November saw Greater Manchester’s orchardists gather together in suspense, as we revealed the winners of the prestigious Community Orchard Awards. The shiny Golden Apples were lined up and ready to be delivered to well-deserving winners, along with a complementary bottle of cider.
We were delighted to host the award ceremony at the splendid and historic Ordsall Hall in Salford, an atmospheric venue in which to soak up the impressive knowledge of Gabe Cook, AKA ‘the Ciderologist’, who compéred (or com-pair-ed perhaps?) the evening.
And the winners are…
Best Orchard Leader – Ian Mayer from Holly Mount Orchard in Bury.
Best Orchard Enterprise – Mossley Community Orchard, Tameside.
Best Orchard-based Event – Sidings Orchard, run by the Heaton Mersey Conservation Volunteer group.
Best Tree Care – Moor Nook Park Orchard, Sale.
And for the most coveted, Best Community Orchard Award… the winner for 2018 is:
Etherow Lodge Park in Tameside! (award collected by Maria Roberts).
Congratulations to all of the winners!
It’s fantastic to see how strong the orcharding community is in Greater Manchester, and many of the groups are now arranging to visit each others’ orchards and learn from sharing experience.