In 2016 the Parish Council voted for a community orchard to be planted on land donated to the community from a section 106 planning agreement. This initiative was driven by Council Chairman Neil Gregory and councillors Simon Witney and Sharon Tricerri, and Gareth (just do it!) Bevens.

In March 2017 the council funded Phase 1 of the tree planting.

Eddie & Carol Hatfield (Chair & Secretary of the Allotment Association), advised by two local horticulturalists (Duncan Gates & Catherine Cocks), organised the purchase, lay-out and planting of the first 24 trees. On the 25th March 2017, with the enthusiastic help of many local people, and families, 12 dessert apple and 12 plum trees were planted. This was the start of our new orchard! 

The enthusiasm continued in the form of a daily watering rota which started in March and continued until October. This was essential for the healthy establishment of new trees, especially as April proved to be a very dry month. There were people of all ages watering the trees, from a school-girl doing voluntary work for her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, to older community members who needed help because the trolley laden with full watering cans was too heavy for them to pull!

 Further funds were obtained from Uttlesford District Council, matched by sponsorship from local residents, to enable Phase 2 of the orchard planting, - Another 80 trees were planted between December 2017 and March 2018. These were supplied by:

EEAOPS(The East of England Apples & Orchards Project) ‘a charity committed to ensuring a long term future for the region’s orchard fruits’. www.applesandorchards.org.uk

Ashridge Nurseries in Somerset - www.ashridgetrees.co.uk

Keepers Nursery in Kent – www.fruittree.co.uk

Simpsons Nursery in Fordham – www.simpsonsnursery.co.uk

In December 2018 Affinity Water made a grant of £2500 and Phase 3 is now being underway. Features include the notice boards, labels for all the trees, and a human sundial in the center and picnic benches are to follow!

Huge thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful community project.