Stamford Community Orchard Group

05/01/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Wassail. The trees were thoroughly awakened! A special thanks to our organisers and performers.

22/04/2024

Loaads of other stuff going on next Sunday too!

01/04/2024

OH WOW!!!!

*Sadly....APRIL FOOL!* We've struck gold (well, silver, to be exact)! It's not often you unearth buried treasure while planting a fruit tree, but these volunteers in Manchester did just that 💰.

The hoard, believed to be worth around £1.25m, was discovered in a local park. We're not able to disclose exactly where yet, as an archaeological team is investigating to see if there is anything of further interest buried there.

The coins date back to the 17th century and have been handed in to the relevant authorities. Our hope is that they may eventually be bought by Manchester Museum and give us a bit of extra cash to put back into more community orchards!

📷 Coin detail: Helen Haden.

29/03/2024

Adam has just taken over this page from me.

19/03/2024

This looks interesting and fun.

Interested in orchard history? Our latest blog delves into the fascinating world of pomology* literature with Darren Turpin, who shares his passion for this often-overlooked art form.

Darren's an amateur pomologist, fruit grower, orchard geek and self-confessed book nerd. For the past few years he's been researching historical orchard lore, and has become adept at finding hidden gems buried within online archives.

His research has uncovered some highly talented and skilled artists (often women) whose work has largely gone uncredited for centuries. You can explore his top five examples via the blog, where he has generously shared links to find them online.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3PmNEkW

*the study of fruit, fruit growing and orchard management techniques

12/02/2024

Do pay attention!!!! SCOG Blossom Brunch is to be on April 30th. Pop the date in your diary now. And watch the webinar too.

If a romantic Valentine's Day lunch is not on the menu this year, you could always attend next week's Orchard Blossom Day webinar instead ...

🌸 Designed for anyone looking to know more about how to be involved in the annual April event, it's happening at 2pm on 14 Feb on Zoom. More details here: https://bit.ly/4btZYte

The webinar will cover what Orchard Blossom Day is all about and the importance of celebrating it, along with useful advice on how to host your own event. This year Orchard Blossom Day falls on Friday 26 April, but you can celebrate at any time during the wider blossom season, as obviously not all fruit trees flower at the same time and there are regional differences.

It was set up three years ago by the Orchard Network - the UK and Ireland's umbrella organisation for promoting traditional orchards and collections. The idea is based on European Orchard Day, which started in Germany and Austria.

Find out more about The Orchard Network (which The Orchard Project is a member of): https://bit.ly/3HQWO51

27/01/2024

5 of us went to the orchard this morning, we cut the top of the hedge so now the birds know where they can nest safely!

13/01/2024

Did you miss the Stamford wassail? If so why not come to the one in Ketton,

Don’t forget the local wassail event is on next weekend! Come along to bless our apple orchard and ensure a good crop in 2024!

10/01/2024

Some of you might have seen Rob Persani, Rutland and Stamford Sound there on Saturday. Here are some great photos! As well as a link to an interview with our Chair Peter.

07/01/2024

Wasn't last night's Wassail fun!!! 173 of you ( well about that number) came. This photo was taken as you all left, we'd love you to share any you took.

03/01/2024

Last minute things to organise. We need a battery fed lamp on a post. Can anyone lend us one?

01/01/2024

📣 Exciting news for 2024! We look forward to welcoming you to our Graft & Grow event on Saturday 3rd February, 10am-4pm held in conjunction with Mid Shires Orchard Group 🍎🍐

01/01/2024

Are you ready for Saturday’s Wassail? 4.30.

21/12/2023

Last night we had our final meeting before the Wassail! All now organised... a few changes now that there are SO many people attending... a megaphone for one! And I'll have a high viz jacket on. But still the same, Morris Men, Woven Chords, Mark our story teller, Robina our Queen, etc.... Please remember to bring something that makes a noise and a torch ( head one even better) 6th Jan 4.30. Spread the word.

15/12/2023

Quite right! Getting involved with the Stamford Community Orchard Group when I first moved to Stamford helped me make so very many friends over the years. Brilliant!

Connections are cultivated in community orchards 🤝

Publicly-accessible urban orchards are green oases where neighbours can meet, gather, and build relationships. They become a local focal point, encouraging people to spend time outdoors and getting to know their neighbours. This year, 97% of our volunteers told us that having an orchard in their neighbourhood made it a better place to live.

You can help support these special spaces, while giving a low-waste gift this holiday season. From now until 21 December, everyone who donates £25+ will receive two orchard care PDFs and a printable gift certificate, perfect to slip into a greeting card or stocking.

Give the gift of greener cities by donating here: https://bit.ly/40FbU6m

Photo by Cal Holland.

08/12/2023

I hope you have ours in your diary? 6th Jan, 4.30 with all the usual trimmings!

Soak your toast in cider, grab your pans and wooden spoons, and head out into your nearest orchard to wassail the evil spirits away.

28/11/2023

Saturday tree planting at Hudd's Mill. One of the volunteers even celebrated his birthday with SCOG and a spade! The hot drinks were more than welcome.