Dunsden Community Orchard

Our quiz night was a huge success.  Around 70 people enjoyed an excellent evening's entertainment, thanks to the hard work of a team led by Beth & John Timms and Judy & Tim Coulson.

After seven rounds of questions it was clear that a needle match was developing between a team which included Lis Ransom, Chairman of Binfield Heath Parish Council and their neighbours: a team which included David Woodward, Chairman of Eye & Dunsden Parish Council. At the end of the evening the Heath Dwellers were rewarded with victory by a narrow margin of just one point. They had further cause for celebration when Lis won the top raffle prize, a night for two at the French Horn Hotel in Sonning. David Pether from the Eye & Dunsden team won the second raffle prize, tickets for a night out at the Mill at Sonning. A magnificent £630 was raised altogether. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the evening.

Thanks to the Co-op Community Fund we have received a grant of £500 to put towards the cost of planting trees and a wooden bench which it is hoped will be the focal point of the walkway through our orchard. The Fund provided a plaque which we hope to fix to the orchard gateway at our next working party, which is planned for Sunday 14 September at 2.30pm. To encourage a good turnout on the day (when we will mainly be weeding around the trees), cider will be provided. Please put the date in your diary now and come along and enjoy an hour's enjoyable work with other local people.

A reminder that you will find us at Binfield Heath Flower Show at Holmwood this Saturday from 2pm. There will be some early apples to taste and we will be able to answer your questions about the orchard. 

We will soon have some attractive embroidered polo shirts for orchard supporters. These are available at £10 each for members or £12.50 for non-members: a good reason to sign up for membership if you have not done so already. Just download the leaflet and post off the form to set-up an annual £5 or £10 standing order. Your support is much appreciated. 

A fund-raising quiz night is also planned, thanks to the generosity of Beth Timms, who has been organising these popular evenings for some time. The evening starts at 7 for 7.30pm in Dunsden Village Hall on Saturday October 11th. A light supper and an entertaining evening is promised, all for under £10! Tickets from Beth Timms

Saturday 19 April is the proposed date for our next working party. (To be confirmed shortly on this site). Because of recent heavy weather, there are still many trees to plant, so a fun day is promised. The remaining trees have been heeled in on site until then. Come one, come all, from 10am, with refreshments and other facilities available in the vilage hall.

At a recent committee meeting in the Shoulder of Mutton some decisions were taken about tree sponsorship and membership schemes, which it is hoped will be launched in the Autumn. More news later.

We acknowledge with thanks the donation of tree sleeves by Tim Lowden, Manager of Playhatch Garden Centre