Next work party

Our first work party of the year kicks off on Monday 2nd March 2020.

The session runs from 10.00am until 2.00pm but please feel welcome to drop in as you wish.  Tools and hot drinks are provided but you will need to bring your own lunch.  You will also need to wear old clothes and sturdy boots.  Waterproofs and warm clothing are advised as there is no shelter at the Orchard.

We’ll be carrying out essential maintenance tasks such as path, litter and bramble clearance.

Spring is definitely on its way now.  Why not come along and join our work party and admire the new flowers emerging?

 

Wassailing 2020

The weather was kind, the apple juice was fab and the crowds were out for Wassailing 2020!  In addition to everyone singing and parading musically around the Orchard, a couple of new trees were planted – a hazel and a fig.

Thank you to all those who came along and made our event such a success.

Ready for Wassailing!

The South East Essex Conservation Volunteers worked at the Orchard today.  They  carried out hedgelaying, removed invasive brambles, pruned trees, dead-hedged, cleared paths and picked up litter.  Great job done by all!  The Orchard is now ready for Wassailing on Sunday 19th January 2020.

Work Party

The South East Essex Conservation Volunteers had a great work party yesterday.  They carried out hedgelaying and valuable clearance work.  They hope to return again in the New Year.

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Conservation Work Party

After a successful Apple Day, the South East Essex Conservation Volunteers are gearing up for a work party this coming Sunday (24th November 2019).  Work planned includes hedgelaying and other necessary tasks.  The group meets from 10.00am onwards and you work as little or as much as you like!  All tools/training provided but you will need to bring your own lunch/drink and gardening gloves.  A warm welcome awaits you!  For further information visit http://www.seecv.org.uk.

Ready for Apple Day

We had a great work party today!  Eighteen workers helped prepare the Orchard ready for Apple Day this Saturday (5th October).  A big THANK YOU to all those who helped.

Apple Day is a great opportunity to explore the Orchard and to sample/harvest apples.  There will also be stalls, food, music and much more.  Entry is free.  We hope you can join us!

 

Next work party

We had a great time at our work party on Monday 3rd June.  Everyone worked really hard but also enjoyed relaxing and socialising during our much needed breaks.  Well done to all!

The Orchard is looking great, paths are clear and fruit is forming well.

We look forward to our next work party on Monday 1st July.  Hope to see you there again!

June Work Party

Our next work party is on Monday 3rd June, all welcome to attend, we’ll be there from 10.00am until 2.00pm.

The main growing season is now upon us so there’ll be plenty to keep us busy.

At our last work party on 13th May some new benches were installed.  This means our picnic lunch will be even more enjoyable now as we’ll have somewhere comfortable to sit!  Well done to the Growing Together Westcliff member who constructed and installed the benches.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday.

Happy Pet!

The Orchard work party last Monday (4th March) was a big success.  We carried out some winter pruning, removed a large patch of encroaching bramble and much more!

None of our prunings went to waste.  A local lady collected some apple branches for her pet rat to enjoy!

 

Next work party

Our next work party is on Monday 4th March (10.00am to 2.00pm).  We look forward to seeing you there.

We’ll be clearing encroaching bramble from around the fruit trees and generally tidying up the site.

A pruning workshop was held at the Orchard on Saturday 16th February in conjunction with Orchards East.  For those that attended the workshop, Monday will also be an opportunity to carry out the last of the winter pruning using the skills learnt on the course.