We shall next be meeting at the orchard on Sunday May 10 from 2.15pm. Please come along and join in the fun.

We shall be:

• attaching our shiny new tree labels
• guarding the few unprotected trees
• getting the bench/picnic table out of Mandy's garage and installed in the orchard (on concrete bases)
• spraying and then clearing bramble roots
• burning the bramble remains
• making sure the hornbeams in their temporary trench are thriving
• holding a short meeting to discuss the lease agreement with the parish council

There should be enjoyable tasks for people of all ages. We look forward to seeing you. Call David woodward on 969 3633 for more.

Chilterns Board come up trumps

We are delighted to report that we have received a grant of £1549.33 from the Chilterns Conservation Board. Many thanks to Kath Daly and her colleagues for their support.

Community orchards in the news

BBC Radio 4's You & Yours carried an interesting item about community orchards today. You can use the 'Listen Again' feature if you missed the programme.

If you would like to be 'one of the workers' please come along to the Shoulder of Mutton, Playhatch on Tuesday 4 March from 8pm.

We are holding an informal meeting at which we will be finalising details for the working parties which have been arranged as follows:

• the weekend of 8/9 March: preparation/creating a new entrance from Tagg Lane with large gate/postholes
• Sunday 16 March: more hole digging & planting(?)
• Saturday 22 March: planting (to be confirmed)
• Saturday 29 March: planting/follow-up (to be confirmed)