Traditional orchards are in decline – it is estimated that we have lost 90% since the 1950’s. It’s a great loss for wildlife, as they offer habitat for bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals. And, of course, their fruit is great to eat!
So, it’s appropriate we celebrate those orchards we have, and spread the word about planting fruit trees.
This is just what will be happening at ‘Apple Day’ on Saturday 27 September between 11.00am – 4.00pm. It will be a celebration of the Community Orchard on The Hook nature reserve in Lady Bay West Bridgford.
There will be a chance to taste heritage varieties of apple, see a display of stunning photographs showing the orchard through the seasons and join in a variety of apple games. If you have apples to spare from your own trees, you can bring them along to be pressed, and then take home the juice.
In the orchard itself there will be a nature trail for young children with all sorts of creatures to look out for. Adults can pick up a self-guided trail to learn about the different varieties of apple and how the rootstock affects the size of the tree. There will also be a workshop on pruning apple trees (advance booking needed*) and you can get advice on planting and caring for apple trees from an expert. If you have an apple tree you’d like identified, bring along 3 apples and a photo of the tree.
Lady Bay Revellers will be Morris dancing on The Hook at 11.15am and Lady Bay Music Academy providing music 2.00pm onwards at All Hallows.
It’s a two site celebration, in the orchard itself and at All Hallows Halls on Pierrepont Road. Entry is free, but bring cash for refreshments and for the raffle. The orchard is maintained by a team of volunteers from Friends of The Hook, but we are raising money to pay for the ongoing care and professional pruning of the trees.
For more information, visit the website at: https://www.friendsofthehook.org.uk/whats-on/
*If you would like to book onto the pruning workshop, please email [email protected]