applications for the challenge fund are now closed

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Community Orchards Challenge Fund Information

Community orchards are excellent places for people to come together to plant and cultivate local and unusual varieties of fruit trees and to use as the focal point for community activities such as Apple Day, Wassail or as a green haven in which to relax and wind-down. The People’s Trust for endangered species has identified that 90% of traditional orchards have been lost since the 1950s, with 48% of the orchards surveyed in England found to be in declining condition. Devon has lost most of its traditional orchards of large ‘standard’ trees - valuable because of their beauty, history, wildlife and rich variety of local apples.

Who can Apply

The fund is open to applications from community groups, schools, churchyards, community spaces and individuals if there can be proven a direct benefit to the community through planting events or open access. Community Groups do not need to be registered charities but will have to show proof of membership/regular activity. Only one application per community group.

Location

The orchards may be established in locations across the North Devon Biosphere (please see our Pledge Map to see the boundaries of the Biosphere).

What the grant can be used for

The grant can be used for the creation of new community orchards or the management of existing orchards (for example undertaking corrective pruning as many orchards are currently being lost to neglect). There is no minimum number of trees that can be applied for. Orchards should be ‘traditional’ using suitable vigorous rootstocks with a proportion of the trees being Devon varieties. Special consideration will be taken for applications that will be cultivating local varieties such as mazzards; a type of cherry tree local to Devon.

Timing

Open for submissions from 20th August to 31st December 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so it is recommended that you submit your application or contact us to discuss your orchards plan as soon as possible, Please note the decision whether to accept the grant application is at the discretion of the North Devon Biosphere team and Orchards Live.

Advice and Sources of Information and Trees

• If you would like advice on planning your community orchard please contact Orchards Live, our partner in this project.

• The People's Trust for Endangered Species have a Traditional Orchards Project with lots of practical guides for pruning, planning and managing your orchard.

• ‍Communities and Local Government How to Guide to setting up a Community Orchard

• If you would like to visit a community orchard for inspiration there are several across North Devon such as in Landkey where they have created a mazzard orchard, South Molton Community Woodland, and Weare Giffard Community Orchard.
• See the Weare Giffard Blog and Nature Natters video to find out how they started their community orchard.

Sources of Trees:

• Adams’s Apples: Talaton Plants have over 100 varieties of apple trees, that can been sent out mail order. Also plums, gages, damsons, pears and cherries. Varieties include Cornish and Devon apples. Egremont Barn, Payhembury, Honiton EX14 3JA. 01404 823185

• Perrie Hale:  We stock bare root soft fruit bushes, which can be planted within hedgerows to make 'an edible hedge'. They can also be planted in gardens and allotments.  Bare root fruit bushes are available October - March.  We are also increasing our range of fruit trees, please call for availability if you do not see what you require. EX14 9TH Honiton

• ‍Steepholding: Somerset and Devon Border, small scale farm with many of the best old fruit varieties

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