DECEMBER 2021 WORK PARTY

First of all, a huge thanks to all those who turned up to our December work party. There was much to do and the sun shone bright while our team of volunteers were hard at work tending to the Orchard. 

A quick reminder that our work parties are held on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:30am - 12:00 midday. Our volunteers age from 18 to very nearly 80! The next one is in February 2022 and if you would like to join us, please contact Helen - we'd love to see you. Read on to find out what the December team got up to!

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Thomas (pictured above) planted our new Pitmaston Pine Apple tree. It is a maiden tree, which means it was grafted from the cutting of new growth from an adult tree (a scion) onto the roots of a young tree (a rootstock). Our new tree was grafted in February 2020. 

Our new tree will need much nurture, formative pruning and possibly watering in the spring and summer. It is very precious and you can see it is much protected with two rabbit guards, a deer guard and a massive stake. We should be able to collect the first fruit in 2024. 

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There were many other jobs to complete after the tree planting. We applied sticky barrier gunk to each trunk to trap any female over-wintering winter moths when they try to migrate up into the trees from their hibernation in the tree mulch beneath each one. We also did a small bramble bash. We want to leave as much wild as we can to encourage over-wintering beneficial insects, hence we have not used any winter wash this year. 

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Next up were the bird boxes. We now have four bird boxes - a robin box and three for tits. 

Two of the tit boxes had nests, so we were delighted! 

Here is Nigel (above) putting back the nice clean bird box ready for the spring. 

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We found this hedgehog house in the Orchard during our December work party. We hope the local Mrs Tiggywinkle will find it! 🦔

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Keep well everyone and don't forget the Wassail on 16th January 2022 from 5pm onwards at the Limpsfield British Legion. More details available here. 

WASSAIL - 16 JANUARY 2022

LIMPSFIELD COMMUNITY ORCHARD WASSAIL

Sunday 16th January 2022

People gathering around the fire with their torches

5.00pm - assemble at Limpsfield British Legion

6.00pm - torchlight procession through the woods to the orchard, where we shall offer cider, bread and salt to the King tree to ensure a good harvest and pass round the wassail bowl.

Everyone - especially families - Welcome

• Bring rattles, drums, whistles, tins, anything to make a loud noise and ward off the bad spirits   
• Wear something warm waterproof & colourful
• Enjoy mulled cider & apple juice around the bonfire. Don’t forget to bring mugs….and this year battery torches only
• Singalong 

Donations very welcome 

(eg £2 per head would cover our costs) 

For more information or if you would like to help on the day, phone 01883 713160 or orclimp@gmail.com

MESSY CHURCH IN THE ORCHARD

The Orchard was a hive of activity recently when Messy Church came to visit for the first time. It was very successful and a great time was had by all.  

"The afternoon was really lovely. Rev Helen gave a short talk then the children were sent off on a scavenger hunt and to tables dotted around the orchard with Harvest activities. We had over 30 children and they all really enjoyed it, especially eating apple cakes at the end!" - Caroline, Church Coordinator

Rev Helen giving a short talk

Some core members of Messy Church 

Scavenger hunt underway

Discovering a toadstool

Unbe-leaf-able creative talent

WORKING PARTY DATES

We have now decided to try a work party on a regular day each month....so please put the FIRST Wednesday of the month from 09:30 to 12:00 into your diaries....we hope to see you there. Next work party November 3rd, 2021,  but please contact me first. 

Information as always from Helen 

(helenellson205@btinternet.com  or 01883 713160)

~ Happy, smiley faces (and sunshine) at an earlier work party ~

~ one of our wonderful volunteers hard at work with the hedge trimmer ~

~ keeping the Orchard tidy in the summer sun ~

BIRD BOX

 

This is our new tit box which was installed at the Orchard today. We are delighted with it and are looking forward to seeing the first residents.

We are planning to have 2 more put up with a robin box too. Hopefully the occupants will eat many of the winter moth caterpillars which have caused us so much grief. 

WASSAIL 2021

This year, due to Covid 19 restrictions, our annual Wassail 

had to be done very differently with no large gathering.

Instead, Andrew Claringbull and his family celebrated for us. 

Andrew has been our Wassail master for the last few years 

and he led his family group splendidly observing all the traditions, 

and singing together round the tree with the mulled cider. 

You can see the songs and traditional incantations on the song sheet. 

It's not too late for you to go up to the Orchard in your family groups to have your own private Wassail.... 
The trees would certainly benefit from such extra attention!