Dunsden Community Orchard

Despite the recent drought, our trees are surviving, although some still need watering. It is hoped to arrange a working party towards the end of October (more details later). Interesting events in the next week or so include the Henley Show Ploughing Match at Dunsden and a chance to visit the Crosslanes Fruit Farm at Mapledurham.

The ploughing match starts at 9am this Sunday October 4, with the blessing of the plough. Besides heavy horse and tractor ploughing competitions, attractions include birds of prey, ferret racing and craft and trade stalls. Parking is free.

Crosslanes Fruit Farm at Mapledurham is open from 10am to 5pm on Sunday October 11. There will be advice on all aspects of fruit growing, competitions for children, and sales of produce, including apples from amongst the over 60 varieties grown at Crosslanes.

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.

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 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

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.

Sometime champion ploughman Phil Dyer made light work of digging out 50 holes for tree planting at our first working party this weekend. Using a 24" tractor-powered augur he saved hours of toil, cutting through the heavy soil in no time. A group of enthusiastic volunteers backed him up by barrowing in manure and fixing gate posts.

We need even more helpers next weekend (15 March from 10am). 45 trees are arriving and they must be carefully planted. We hope as many people as possible will join us: no experience required, just turn up for an hour or so, anytime on the day.

Big progress is expected at our next meeting on Monday February 4th at 8pm in the village hall. Topics so far suggested include:

• schedule for development of the orchard
• funding and grant applications
• responsibilities
• planting plan
• access
• equipment storage
  

But please come along with your own suggestions. Make a note of the date: 4/2/08!

You may also be interested in a half-day practical fruit tree pruning course aimed at those with trees at home.

It is at Cross Lanes Farm in Mapledurham on Saturday January 26, Tuesday Feb 5 and Saturday Feb 9. Bookings on 0118 972 3167.