Broadlands Orchardshare
Broadlands OrchardShare
What is it?
Broadlands OrchardShare is a thriving community orchard in Bathford parish. It is run by volunteers, who are working to conserve and maintain the orchard to supply locally grown apples to the Bath area.
There are over 1000 trees at the orchard and in 2006 the whole site was very overgrown and choked with creepers and brambles. Since then lots of people have come along to monthly volunteering days to prune the trees, clear the brambles and pick apples.
We have made great improvements so far but there is still plenty to do to save the mature apples trees and improve their health and productivity. We aim to plant more trees to produce a greater variety of fruit. We are also creating wildlife habitats to increase the biodiversity of the site.
How to get involved
Volunteer days
We hold a volunteer day on the second Saturday of every month. Children and adults of all ages and abilities are very welcome at the orchard. There are energetic tasks and gentle tasks depending on your inclination, or you could come to just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Events
We hold seasonal community events throughout the year, such as a Wassailing day, a Blossom Day picnic, a Wild Night out in the summer and, of course, an Apple Day in the autumn. We run training days too, such as pruning trees or an Earth Oven making course.
Sponsor a Tree
Sponsor a tree for yourself or as a gift. It costs £10 per tree per year (max 5 trees). You will get a certificate of sponsorship, our newsletter and a box of apples from your tree at harvest time.
Where is it?
Broadlands Orchard Share is on the A4, half a mile east of Bathford. Take the entrance to the Dick Willows Farm Shop, turn left and keep going past the farm shop (now on your right) to the car and bike park at the end.
Further information
Enquiries/sponsorships/bookings:
Tel/Text: 07532 472256
Email: broadlandsorchardshare@googlemail.com
Next Volunteering Days at Broadlands Orchard:
Saturday 10th April
Saturday 8th May
We will also be pruning the trees most Friday afternoons during February.
Tools provided, but please bring your own secateurs and pruning saws if you have them
Wear clothing that gives protection from scratches and scrapes, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
Campfire cup of tea and biscuits at about 2pm
On-site car park
Wet weather shelter, Earth Oven and compost toilet
ALL WELCOME
Tree Planting Day
Friday 26th February, 10am to 4pm at Broadlands Orchard
Bath based Landscape Architecture and urban design company, Macgregor-Smith, donated £400 for Broadlands OrchardShare to buy new fruit trees. Broadlands OrchardShare also raised £280 in donations at our Wassail in January to go towards buying the trees, plus rabbit guards and compost for planting.
A team from Macgregor-Smith and Broadlands OrchardShare volunteers are going to plant the 40 new fruit trees, including plums, greengages, damsons and quinces, on Friday 26th February. All are welcome to come along.
Please bring a spade or fork if you can, we will have some tools available to borrow.
Campfire cup of tea/coffee and biscuits/cake provided
ALL WELCOME
Fruit Tree Grafting Training
Saturday 6th March, 12 noon to 4pm at Broadlands Orchard
With Tim Foster
Fee: £20 (£15 sponsors)
Price includes two trees to take home - one apple and one pear
and Campfire refreshments
Pre-Booking needed
Email: broadlandsorchardshare@googlemail.com
Tel: 07532 472 256
ALL WELCOME