A Three Counties Traditional Orchard Project for Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire

What is it?

An idea for a project to help support orchard owners and local people throughout the three counties to manage and learn about traditional orchards. Working at a large 'landscape' scale (the three counties) is regarded as important, not least in helping to ensure that local experience and expertise is shared. Key aims of the project are to secure greater community involvement and to help manage those traditional orchards which are not currently being managed. Project ideas are still being developed but other elements of the project may include:

• creating new traditional orchards;
• investigating and implementing productive and beneficial uses for traditional orchards;
• restoring old orchard buildings/equipment;
• developing traditional orchard themed tourism; and
• researching the genetics identity of different tree varieties.
  

Who's involved?

A broad-based partnership of organisations and groups including:

• Natural England
• Herefordshire Nature Trust
• Colwall Orchard Group
• Gloucestershire Orchard Group
• Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
• Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
• Worcestershire County Council
• Herefordshire Council
• Malvern Hills AONB Partnership

We are always keen to add new partners!

What's happening?
We are currently developing project and funding ideas. This table summarises project development work that is taking place over the next few months, leading to the preparation of funding application(s) in Spring of 2012. The right hand column of the table summarises progress being made. NB This 'progress' column is regularly updated.

Contact
If you would like more information or are interested in being involved in this project as an orchard owner, volunteer, expert or in any other capacity, or if you have any suggestions or comments to make please contact the Malvern Hills AONB Unit by clicking here.