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CHAPEL ORCHARD - ORWELL’S OWN GREEN SPACE
The
background to Chapel Orchard:
 The
Orchard has been owned by South Cambs District Council for many years.
Before the Council purchase, it was a commercial orchard and also
produced watercress. Some of the original fruit trees still remain. In
the late 1990’s, the Council decided to sell the Orchard for housing
development.
Concerned at the loss of the last green area in the heart of the
village, 221 people signed a petition against the sale within a period
of ten days. At the Local Planning Review in 2000, our Parish Council
representatives managed to get the land de-allocated for housing and
re-designated as a village green space instead.
 The
Parish Council took a 25 year lease from South Cambs District Council,
and then proceeded to convert a wild and totally overgrown orchard which
had been neglected for a very long time into an area which was not only
suitable for human beings, but was also more open and sunlit for the
wildlife and the fruit trees. The site was formally opened by our M.P.,
Andrew Lansley, on the 2nd July 2006.
 A
large number of village residents have worked really hard on the
transformation of this derelict land, and with the aid of grants from
South Cambs and the Heritage Lottery Fund have opened up the old spring
and dip well (from which Orwell obtained its name,) diverted the piped
stream back into its original open channel, put in pathways and bridges
for wheelchairs and mums with pushchairs, and fought back the all
pervading brambles and nettles. The old apple trees have been pruned,
and it is hoped they will enjoy a new lease of life. In addition, piles
of dead wood have been made for the benefit of various insects, while
some areas of the Orchard have been left
 completely
untouched so as not to disturb the animals who live there.
Continuing Work
The work of
establishing Chapel Orchard has now been completed, but there is
always further upkeep to be carried out.
Through the summer,
the grass has to be kept trimmed, while the ditch needs constant
attention to keep it from becoming blocked up. The pathways will
need the occasional repair, and we shall spray along the edges of
the paths to stop the grass from encroaching too much. Some of the
ivy is cut off the trees, although we like to leave as much as we
can for the insects and birds to use.
The village school is
now taking children round the Orchard regularly, and no doubt would
appreciate some help with the classes.
Help is needed on all
of these items. If you would like to offer, please get in touch
with Sue Miller, at the address to be found in the Orwell Bulletin,
or watch out for notices announcing work sessions which will be
placed in the shop and on the notice board at the Orchard.
 Use
of the Orchard
The
Orchard is a village facility and is open for anyone to use at any time.
It
provides a chance to escape from our over-developed village streets to a
place where you can appreciate the trees, flowers, running water and the
singing of birds.
It is
the ideal place for children to make dens, climb trees, and to explore
- in fact, to have the kind of childhood that anyone living in the
countryside has every right to expect. Use it for Teddy Bears’ Picnics,
summer parties, concerts and plays in the woods, barbeques (portable
ones only, please, to avoid setting fire to the rich leaf mould) and
everything else you can think of. There is no need to make any booking
arrangements, and if there are any big events being planned then they
will be announced in the village website diary.
 The
fruit is there to be picked and used by everyone. The bullace plums
(the small blue ones, but not to be confused with sloes, which are
very sour and bitter) make wonderful jam. Our recipe book has some
useful suggestions for jams, chutney, and home made wine.
The Chapel Orchard Recipe Book can be
obtained from Sue Miller and is sometimes available at the Pannier
Markets.
There
is only one rule for the Orchard: Don’t mess it up for everyone
else - and “everyone” includes the wildlife. Take home your
litter, clear up any dog poo, and try not to break anything.
It is
there for you to - ENJOY! |
