ORCHARDS
Pomaria Project The parish contained around 15 non-commercial orchards in 1900 but most have since disappeared. With traditional orchards now a priority habitat under biodiversity action plans, the Pomaria project covers a range of fruit-production related activities which include the following - Plant new community orchards using heritage fruit trees and in a traditional layout. 4 have been created to date with 88 trees including apple, plum, pear, cherry, medlar, quince and mulberry. Map private orchards to see what remains. This is part of the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) survey and mapping project. Research from old maps the locations of old orchards and identify photographs or other sources of historical information on fruit-growing in the area. Survey and map the locations of fruit trees growing in the surrounding countryside including crab-apple, wilding apple, plum, cherry or other fruit. Give talks to village groups on fruit-growing and give personal advice where householders are considering purchasing fruit trees. Hold Apple Days and similar celebrations to popularise awareness of the orchards. Survey and record all species identified in the community orchards. |