It's not too late to join in with the fun of the first ever Dunsden Community Orchard quiz night. The event takes place tomorrow (Saturday) evening at 7.30 in the village hall.

Prepare to pit your wits against the sabre-sharp intellectual elite of Dunsden and Binfield Heath (or should they not appear) enjoy a light supper, some fun brain-teasers and the chance of winning some stunning raffle prizes. Tickets for two for a show at the Mill at Sonning are on offer as well as dinner and an overnight stay for two at the luxurious French Horn Hotel. All this for the bargain price of £7! Eight teams are already taking part. You can either call Beth Timms for tickets now on 0118 946 1987 or just turn up (individually or as a team) on the night. Please forward this to friends who might be interested.

All proceeds to Dunsden Community Orchard. Many thanks to all our generous supporters including Sally Hughes at the Mill at Sonning and Michael Emmanuel at the French Horn Hotel (raffle prize does not include drinks).

Tickets are now on sale for our Grand Quiz Night to be held in Dunsden Village Hall on Saturday 11 October. They cost just £7, which includes a ploughman's supper and apple pudding. Questions will be test your general knowledge rather than being all about apples. Why not ask friends to join you and make up a team? Full details and tickets from Beth Timms on 0118 946 1987.

A recent working party was a great success and the orchard is now looking very spruce after its tidy up. Future working parties will include autumn tree planting and boundary clearance.

Almost 20 people have now sponsored trees and it is hoped to order and attach special commerative tree labels soon. It's not too late if you want to become a member of the orchard or sponsor a tree - just look at the up-to-date plan on this site, and print off and post the application form.

Don't forget we will also be at the Henley Show Ploughing Match and Country Fayre on Sunday 5 October. The event, which is held at Bishopsland RG4 9NR on the Sonning Common road beyond Dunsden, begins at 9.15am with the blessing of the plough. There will be lots to do for all the family, including ploughing demonstrations by shire horses. There will also be ferret racing, a poultry auction, trailer rides, outside trade stands and craft stands in the marquee. Bar and refreshments available all day. For more see the show website.

Thanks to the generosity of Richard Butler, Branch Manager at Travis Perkins, Playhatch we were able to re-instate access from Tagg Lane to the orchard last weekend. Travis Perkins donated two drainage pipes and have promised some fencing, so now we will be able to get a bowser into the orchard to prevent any more trees from dying. Volunteers will be needed to maintain the watering rota.

Tree sponsorship is proving a big success - a big thank you to all that have supported us so far - and we are also inviting people to become members of the orchard. Just download the form available here.

Most of the trees are thriving, some more trees have been planted, and a final batch is due in the autumn. We will soon be posting a new map of the orchard which will show which trees have already been sponsored. 

After several working parties in chilly conditions it is very encouraging to be able to report that almost every tree has survived and is now in leaf - and some have even been flowering. The grass has also been growing rapidly in the recent warm weather. At last night's planning group (minutes) further work was scheduled including drainage in Tagg Lane. Full details from working party co-ordinator timcoul[at]live.co.uk who will be happy to hear from potential volunteers.

We will also shortly be launching our membership scheme and a chance to adopt-a-tree - a great way for you and your family to learn about a traditional local fruit tree variety for a very modest donation.

We are also seeking grants to fund further tree planting, hedging and the creation of a living willow arch.

The community orchard hopes to be at the Binfield Heath Flower Show on Saturday 23 August and at the Henley Show Ploughing Match in Dunsden on 5 October so we look forward to seeing you then.

What do you think? We welcome your comments on our orchard project.

We're hoping for a good turn-out this weekend at the Dunsden Community Orchard. 50 trees have been delivered and volunteers for the big planting are very welcome, starting from 10am on Saturday 15 March (tomorrow), continuing on Sunday.

Holes were dug last weekend, but 'soil improvers' need to be barrowed, planting done and deer protection put in place. Please come along for an hour or so (or longer if you can manage it) and join the Dunsden Community Orchard planting party! 

We will have access to the village hall for tea and coffee making. Make sure you wear outdoor clothes, including wellingtons. If possible bring a fork, hammer, wire-cutters and (if you can manage it) a wheel-barrow.

All our meetings so far have been most enjoyable. Come along and be part of this exciting local project. Who knows, you may be drinking Dunsden cider sooner than you think!

For more information call David Woodward on 07802 433058.