The Orchard Project has a new presence in Swansea! This exciting new development is headed up by two new Project Managers, Kate and Witchhazel. They’ve already launched their activities with a stall at ‘Market at the Mill’, an event that showcases local food and cider – a fitting start! They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge with them, and they’re feeling ready and excited to start supporting community groups and developing urban orchards.
Wales has a rich history of fruit production, including over 100 Welsh Heritage apple varieties. We’re looking forward to working with the local partners and enthusiasts who are enthusiastically reviving this interest. Our new team will be working with partners in the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot areas to set up five new orchards this winter, as well as assisting community groups to restore existing local orchards. Applying The Orchard Project’s successful model, community engagement and ongoing support over time will be high on the agenda to ensure healthy trees and orchard longevity.
Kate and Witchhazel plan to run training and events as and when restrictions allow; projects with schools and further outreach are also planned. If you’re local and want to get involved, keep an on our Events page, or get in touch to be added to their regional email list.
Bakckground about our new project in Wales
Thanks to funding from the Moondance Foundation, we’ll be replicating our tried and tested model of community orchard development and maintenance in Swansea and the surrounding areas.
In the last decade, areas of Wales have seen a re-invigoration where traditional orchards and local fruit production are concerned. Aberystwyth University recently spearheaded research to safeguard sixty welsh apple varieties by propagating and planting them, in collaboration with the Welsh Perry and Cider association. We’re looking forward to adding to this momentum by getting local communities involved in the wonders of orchards and fruit growing.
Our new three-year project will include planting new orchards and also the restoration of existing ones that need some ‘Tree-LC’! In addition, we’ll be running workshops for schools, training events in key orchard maintenance skills, and fun, family-friendly events aimed at celebrating these wonderful outdoor spaces. We are really excited to welcome two new team members who’ll bbe based in Swansea to oversee these projects.
We know the current social distancing measures may initially affect the efficiency of our new Welsh project and orchards, but we are optimistic about being able to safely plant some fruit trees there this coming winter. Eventually, we will also be developing our Orchard Mentor programme in Swansea, which gives keen and confident orchard volunteers the opportunity to support other orchard groups nearby with their knowledge. We’re excited about strengthening the existing networks of fruit-growers in the area!
We are grateful to the Moondance Foundation for funding our new Welsh projects.