Holcombe Community Orchard
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WHO WE ARE:
We aim:
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To create a living resource for members of the community to enjoy, and to serve as a focal point for various village activities throughout the year.
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To serve as a memento of the jubilee.
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To contribute to the preservation of fruit species.
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To promote ecological awareness, providing an environment which is 'wildlife friendly' and is managed organically.
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To provide an educational opportunity for local schoolchildren.
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To share knowledge and experience with other similar groups.
LATEST NEWS:
February 2013
It's been a couple of months now since the official opening of the orchard an in these dark, wet winter months nothing much has happened. The steering committee met recently though to start planning this year's activities. You can catch up in full in the March Holcombe newsletter but I thought it was worth giving some advance warning - we're planning the first workday of the year for the weekend of 16th March (day/time yet to be agreed), so if you can pencil that in that would be great. The main activity will be planting of hedging plants along the left-hand side of the orchard as you look up the slope; we'll probably also do a second seeding of pasture-mix - there is good growth in the centre but it's more sparse around the edges. We have also just acquired a large noticeboard/cabinet (courtesy of TAAG in Teignmouth) which we'll be putting up along the edge of the hard-standing at the bottom of the orchard. Finally, if anyone fancies their hand at pruning in the future, we're trying to organise a pruning training course sometime during the week of March 11th - if you're interested in taking part let me know asap (and which days you could make).
December 2012
Holcombe Community Orchard are officially opening tomorrow, Saturday 8th December, at 11am. Please see below for the message from Neil Howell (member of steering group):
The trees have just arrived this morning and Cllr Humphrey Clemens (District Councillor for Dawlish SW) will be planting the first tree.
After all the rain we have had over the last few weeks (months) the ground is just a little moist underfoot in the orchard area so please make sure you have appropriate footwear if you want to venture up the slope. There will be some Christmassy nibbles and mulled cider, which seemed appropriate for the occasion!
OLDER NEWS:
November 2012
Well the land was seeded with pasture mix about a month ago and there is now a thin patina of green as the first seeds have germinated. Not a shock of grass yet, more like a Bruce Willis crewcut. We have also planted some wild daffodil bulbs down the right-hand side to give some spring-time colour.
We have ordered 14 trees - a mixture of apple, pear and plum - which are due to be delivered in the first week of December ready for the official opening to which you are all welcome. This is scheduled for Saturday 8th December at 11am. One of our local councillors, Humphrey Clemens, has agreed to plant the first tree.
In preparation for this there is a final work-party session on Sunday 18th November from 10am to dig holes into which the trees can just be dropped on planting day.
Work has also progressed on the administration side so we now have a committee, a constitution, application for a bank account and contributions to the orchard costs have started coming in from individuals and through HogCo.
So we're underway. Thanks to everyone who has helped or contributed so far which means that we have been able to get phase 1 done this year so the orchard can be officially referred to as a Jubilee orchard.
October 2012
Well today (4th Oct) was a landmark day - we have sown the pasture mix seed which in the next couple of months should start to turn the bare soil into more of a meadow.
The next step is the tree planting. We have consulted with an orchard expert and several nurseries which has resulted in a varied selection of apple, pear and plum varieties. The first phase of 14 trees will be half-standard trees and probably 3-year old trees which, though more expensive than maidens, will give us a quicker start to fruiting. As we move up the area in future years trees will probably be bush varieties to prevent shading on the downward slope.
We are planning an official opening ceremony and tree planting on Saturday, December 8th. Our local councillor, Humphrey Clemens, has been asked to plant the first tree. Details of this event to follow.
There is an article in this month's Holcombe Newsletter which gives some more information on progress to date and there will also soon be a web page on the Holcombe Village web-site.
Exciting stuff and it's nice to be moving into the more creative stage of the project now that the hard slog of ground clearance is over.
September 2012
A lot seems to have happened since the last update, so here goes.
The basic ground clearance has been completed. The professional orchard expert has been back to review the land and plans for next steps. He was amazed at how much has been achieved and confirmed that the site is good - well-sheltered and with good topsoil. He recommended cutting a few more trees to improve the overall light levels and sowing the land with a pasture mix (grass and clover) before planting trees.
Bovis have been down with a JCB and dumper truck. The tree stumps have been dug up, the site graded and an entrance ramp/drive completed. The stumps have been retained on site elsewhere to create a future "stumpery" for ferns, beetles etc.
The next steps are:
1. Fell trees recommended by orchard expert (note: one of these will be left as a 10-12 ft "stump" with a view to creating a sort of totem pole for the future)
2. Get rid of trimmings from the felling
3. Rake over the bare land, removing any remaining loose debris - some stones, small roots etc - to create smoother surface for seeding
4. Seed land with a pasture mix (grass & clover) - needs to be completed be end of September
5. Order trees (planning for a dozen this year)
6. Plant trees (late November/ early December)
We are hoping to be able to fell the trees some time this week and then organise a couple more working parties for steps 2 & 3. The proposed dates for these are: Tuesday 11th September at 6pm and Saturday 15th September at 10am. If you are able to come along to help even for an hour that would really help.
July 2012
Things are moving forward but the weather has slowed progress somewhat. The group have now felled many of the trees and are making a start on the ground clearance. A working party last weekend was rained off but have another organised for this Sunday (15th) so hopefully that that will happen. Once the ground has been cleared, the group are hoping to get a housebuilding company (who are currently building in the area) to help pull up the tree stumps and grade the land as part of their CSR commitments. Once the ground has been prepared, HogCO have agreed to pay for more specialist advice from orchard expert Charles Staniland to help the group develop a suitable planting plan.
July 2012
Thanks to everyone who came along on Sunday. The weather held and we managed to do a lot more clearance - that huge pile of trimmings and other debris has been burnt, the ivy has been taken back to the bank on the right-hand side and the line of the oak-tree which was our proposed limit for this year; nettles have been slashed down and some of the bramble roots have been dug up. So a good day's work and remarkable what can be achieved with a group of people in a short space of time. John (Partridge) also took down 3 of the remaining trees (2 dead elms and a sycamore) on Monday and the site is now looking much more open and full of light. A steering committe meeting is planned for one evening next week to determine what next.
May 2012
Neil and Andy (chairman of Holcombe Resident's Association) organised a public meeting to outline the community orchard idea, what has been achieved so far, and to get people's input for how to move forward. The evening was well attended and HogCO also gave a presentation on the support they are happy to give the project. Six people volunteered to form a committee to help progress the plans and organise a work day for June.
March 2012
Neil (the landowner) hosted an 'open day' for local residents to come and see the proposed orchard site and find out how they can get involved. The day was a great success with over 30 people turning up, and enthusiasm abound. The Holcombe Resident's Association Committee agreed to give the project their support.
 Before clearance, Feb 2012 |  Site before clearance began |
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 Site after clearance and grading September 2012 | |
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