Community Orchard and Apiary

A group of volunteers led by Graham Deal and David March look after the Orchard and open it up on Sunday afternoons for visitors to enjoy.

The Orchard has never looked better now that the trees are established in the setting of a wildflower meadow. We wake up the trees and wish them a productive year at the annual Broomfield Wassail in January. Despite the challenges with the dry weather and heatwave this year, the trees responded with a good crop of apples which were used for juicing and tasting at our successful Apple Day event in September. A special thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day and especially to ‘That Blue Patch’ for organising the live music on the day.

The beekeeping year started with many challenges, not least problems with the varroa mite that now infests all domestic hives, and queens! – either missing or infertile. The beekeepers, Kim Lumley and Cathy Hooper battled through, and go into the winter with three strong colonies, all with excellent levels honey stores and fingers crossed.

One of our hives became a star performer and produced nearly all the lovely honey sold at Apple Day and the Palmers Greenery Community Café, raising close to £1200 which will be invested back into the apiary and Friends funds. Both the orchard and the apiary support educational activities, including school visits and project work with volunteer groups.