Sewa Volunteer Day - 6th October 2013

In August I was contacted by Hemma Mistry to ask if we could host a group of 15-20 volunteers on the Orchard.  Sewa Day is a national event where people give a day of their time volunteering on a community project. Hemma had seen the display we put up in Unicorn Grocery and got in touch through that.

And so it came to pass that we were delighted to host this group of volunteers.  There is always plenty to do on the orchard, but the main concern was what would we do if the weather was poor?  We needn't have worried as the sun shone brightly for us all day.

We did lots of clearing of weeds on the orchard, planted some narcissus and primroses and built half of a raised bed, which will be planted with more trained trees and soft fruit between November and February. We also constructed bug boxes to sell to raise money for the orchard, these were filled and painted by the children who came on the day.

Here are some photos from the day.

Group photo :)

Building the raised bed

Bug boxes filled and painted by the children

Taking a break in the sunshine.

 To all the wonderful volunteers, thank you for choosing Orchard49 for your day of volunteering, please come again, you were fabulous.

Apple Day 13 October 2013

OTAGS organised a fantastic Apple Day on Sunday 13th October. Orchard49 volunteers were there showcasing 12 heritage apple varieties for people to taste. We had lots of tasters and everyone commented on how delicious the apples tasted - fresh from the tree.

Miranda baked two aple tarts using cooking apples from the orchard as well; we had newton wonder tart and a grandpa buxton tart.  The bug boxes made during the Sewa volunteering day all sold, giving welcome funds for the orchard.  This coming winter we will be planting some more trees along the bakery fence line so will use the money towards that. Here are some photos of the day.

Claire and Lorna with an apple taster

The cob oven, made possible with the Local Food grant which also got  Orchard49 established

Thanks to everyone for such a great day.

Sunday September work sessions 15th and 29th 10-12am

Claire is running two Sunday sessions between 10-12 on the 15th and 29th September

Please do come along and pitch in. If possible we hope to be starting to build some raised beds (wood delivery permitting) as well as the usual tasks.  There also may be apples to sample - we picked some Tydeman's Early Worcester and some apples from one of the trees that were planted before we took on the plot on Monday and they were delicious (plus some pears and figs).

We also have a large group of volunteers (15-20) coming on 6th October. They are taking part in something called Sewa day and have chosen the orchard as a place to volunteer.  If you'd like to help out on that day, please come along. I'll be sending out an email about timings for that later.

For 15th and 29th sessions as always weather permitting and ring or text at the gate if you don't have a key and the gates are closed.  Claire's number is: 07914 793 625 (new number)

Finally - there might be an apple day happening on 13th October at the allotment site (to be confirmed).

Harvest photos

The nights are drawing in.  On Monday (2nd September) we picked some fruit on the orchard and pruned the fan trained cherry trees as dusk came upon us.  Its always a little sad to realise that our Monday evening sessions will soon have to stop for the season, as it is almost dark by 8 pm.


Here are some photos of apples, figs and pears harvested and other delights.

Our harvest on 2nd September: apples, pears and FIGS!

One of the ripe apples and autumnal vine leaves

Tydeman's Late Orange - won't be ready for a while

Plot52 - soon ripe for picking

Isn't the colour magnificent?

Weekend Orchard work sessions April-June

Hurrah, its getting warmer and the days are getting longer... so time to book in some work sessions on the orchard.

Claire is running some Sunday sessions as follows:

21 st of April from 12 - 2
12th of May 12 - 2

19th of May 10-12
2nd of June, 10-12
9th of June 10-12.

Do come along and get involved.  Please contact Claire on 07989 962 916  if you don't have a key to the site so she can come and let you in.  Its also wise to check whether the session is going ahead if its raining.

Monday evening sessions will also commence from 22nd April (but there won't be a session on 6th May). These will run from 6.30 - 8 p.m lead by Debbie.  You can reach her on 07719 625 725.

Hope to see you soon.

Sunny day on The Big Dig

On Saturday 16th March Orchard 49 took part in The Big Dig.  All over the country community gardens opened to volunteers to get busy growing food.  In Manchester, the sun shone (on and off) and we had a great time.

Food and drink was on hand to keep everone's energy levels up and we spent the time pruning all the trees and weeding around the base of the fruit trees and then giving them all a lovely thick mulch of horse manure. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Here are some photos:

Claire putting back the tree guard after mulching

Damien weeding along the fence line of cordon trees

We had some lovely bunting!

Big Dig Open Volunteering Day 16th March

We'll be holding an Open Volunteering Day on Saturday 16th March as part of The Big Dig.

From 12-2.30 pm we'll be busy working on the orchard, so do come along to lend a hand. Jobs we will be doing include:

• Pruning the trees
• barrowing manure and mulching around the trees
• preparing for planting soft fruit
• planting trees we grafted last year

Wear sturdy shoes! If you have gardening gloves, bring them - though we do have some.


Give Debbie a call on 07719 625 725 when you arrive so I can greet you and show you were the orchard is on the allotment site.

Location information: Seymour Grove allotments, off Warwick Court M16 0JG
 
How to get to the orchard:
Buses:15 (Stagecoach/Arriva) runs past Warwick Court (ask for Kings Road Primary).
84 runs along Seymour Grove, alight at Kings Road and its a 5 minute walk to the allotment site.

Metrolink: You can travel to Firswood station and its a 5 minute walk to the allotment site.