Limpsfield Community Orchard

Grand Opening of Limpsfield 
Community Orchard Trail

  

On Saturday 12 April people gathered in the sunshine at St Peter’s Church in Limpsfield, to see Mr Nick Skellett CBE cutting the ribbon marking the start point of the Limpsfield Community Orchard Trail.

The Trail, which has been many months in the planning, starts at the Church in Limpsfield, runs along through the High Street turning left opposite Sylvan Close. It then follows an existing way marked path through the beech woods and over Limpsfield Chart Golf Club, over Grub Street and into the woods. On the way there is an additional way marked route leading to the National Trust Air Raid Shelters where there is an excellent view over Oxted and the North Downs. The path continues through the woods belonging to the National Trust, eventually emerging into the Orchard.

The Community Orchard project which was started in 2010, is looking at its very best now with blossoms and bluebells everywhere. The Orchard committee, (Helen Ellson, Graeme Waller, Peter Jarvis, Lorna Ball and Jennie Ephgrave) and many volunteers have worked hard clearing the site, planting 30 apple and pear trees and over 250 hedging plants to create a beautiful site which now through a generous grant from Surrey County Council is graced with two further benches and a picnic table. Money was also raised for the Trail by Serenity Beauty Salon in Limpsfield whose owner Frankie had the original idea for the Trail.  “I wanted to encourage people to walk up to the Orchard as it is such a fantastic addition to the village” she said.

An explanatory leaflet with a map is available in the Limpsfield Memorial Stores and St Peter’s Church. So if you’ve never visited the Orchard now is a perfect time. Follow the way marked Trail and discover a little more about the village of Limpsfield and the local area.

Friends of the Orchard are welcome. Further information from Jennie on 01883 716523.

 

Flooding Jan 2014
Just to remind us of the servere flooding st the beginning of the year and the new path we had to make for the Wassail....

Spring Update March 2014
Dear Everyone,

I am writing this while the rain is again pouring down. You will not be surprised to know that the Orchard and the surrounding area have really suffered during this exceptionally wet and windy period.

However, going back to spring and summer in 2013, we had good blossom and a reasonably good setting of fruit with 2/3rds of the trees bearing fruit. Sadly the eventual harvest was very small and so we are pinning our hopes on to a good season in 2014, especially after the successful Wassail which was held in January. Having our very own Wassail Master (Ed Heaver) and his team has made a huge difference and I know how much the children enjoyed the evening. The bonfire in the wettest conditions was a tour de force thanks to our bonfire guru Ian Green. There were over 170 people attending and indeed this year we even made a modest profit. Due to the localised flooding in the area approaching the steps in the Grub Street woods, a new path had to be constructed using logs and chippings. This path is standing up to regular use remarkably well, and we are most grateful to the team who rallied to our call for help.

Since the Wassail, the rains have continued and the area nearest to the A25 is badly flooded now and there is a degree of worry for the health of the pear trees in that area. With their roots currently underwater, they are at risk of death by drowning and we might have to resort to digging a drainage ditch to direct the water though to the ditch in the allotments. Regretfully, one of our Bramley apple trees has been badly affected by canker and will have to be replaced, partly because it will never make a strong productive tree but more importantly because canker can spread from tree to tree.

There has been a lot of behind the scenes work on the Limpsfield Community Orchard Trail which is being funded by a grant from Surrey County Council and a fruitful fundraising event which was held by ‘Serenity’ Beauty Salon for us and Limpsfield in Bloom. The monies have enabled us to purchase 2 oak benches (one in the Orchard and another where the bluebells are at their best in the Grub Street Woods) and a picnic bench. In addition the path has its own way-markers and roundels indicating the route, and a splendid leaflet, describing what can be seen along the way, is in production. The trail starts at St Peter’s Churchyard and continues along the High Street, turning left opposite Sylvan Close along the existing footpath leading through the beech woods to the Golf Course, and thence into Grub Street Woods and into the Orchard. Along the way a detour can be made for a visit to see the National Trust Air Raid shelters. THE GRAND OPENING IS TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY 12^TH APRIL AT 11AM outside St Peter’s Church.

We had a stall at the Limpsfield Fete and were delighted that Jan our fruit guru was able to come and answer fruity questions! Later a summer picnic in the Orchard was much enjoyed. We had a treasure hunt for the children and a fiendishly difficult wild flower identification competition for the adults.

We are delighted that the number of our Friends continues to grow.  Everyone reading this will have contributed to the Community Orchard in one way or another and without you all the dream could never have been realized. So, how exactly do Friends help?

Firstly, many of you join us on our workparties for clearing, weeding, manuring etc; secondly, our annual Wassail party needs an army of volunteers to make it a success, from making the flaming torches to baking apple cakes; thirdly, we have Associates on hand for specialist tasks or advice, such as our RHS fruit expert; our local National Trust Rangers; local craftsmen and others who have designed leaflets, or held fund-raising events.

Lastly, we are indebted to those who donate to our funds. Although our on-going costs are modest, we do have some essential annual expenses which cannot be avoided, and if you have not done so already we would invite you to consider making an on-going annual donation by setting up a Standing Order.  The modest sum of £10 per annum (or more!) from everyone would help to give us the security to ensure that we leave a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.  

Just e-mail Jennie, jenephgrave@btinternet.com, or phone 01883 716523, and she will give you the Orchard Bank Account details.

Of course, a donation in any form and at any time is always gratefully received too!

We (the committee) are dependent on support from you all and really appreciate the encouraging comments we get from people who use the Orchard regularly. There are many dog owners, families with small children and local residents who visit the Orchard to observe the seasonal changes and the progress of the trees. It remains a peaceful spot, and it can only get better as the trees mature and become consistently fruitful.

With good wishes to you all

Helen and the Orchard Team