This week there has been activity in The Close with two volunteers trained in scything cutting the long grass. Despite the showery weather Sarah and Ian persevered with the task. The area cut will be left for a while to allow seeds to drop and will then be cleared. Areas of Knapweed have been left… Continue reading Scything in The Close
News
Small Copper in The Close
A Small Copper was spotted in The Close today by Carole Smith. With its wings closed it is a dull brown but once open they spectacular. It feeds of Common Sorrell which is growing amongst the grasses. We are grateful for all the surveys Carole undertakes for the charity. If you have an interest in… Continue reading Small Copper in The Close
Woodland Trust Community Tree Packs
We are delighted to announce that we have again been successful in an application to the Woodland Trust’s community tree pack scheme. Our application was for 315 whips which will complete the hedging around the Community Orchard and Nature Reserve. The packs are due to arrive in November and will includes hazel, blackthorn, crab apple,… Continue reading Woodland Trust Community Tree Packs
Working Party – 28th June
Pitton Community Orchard & Nature Reserve Working Party 10.30 to 12.30 Saturday 28th June 2025 Many thanks to the group of volunteers who came along last Saturday to help in the new Pitton Community Orchard & Nature Reserve. A lot was achieved in a couple of hours but there is still a bit more we… Continue reading Working Party – 28th June
Bench Installed
A bench has now been installed in the newly opened Community Orchard & Nature Reserve. We are extremely grateful to the Coronation Living Heritage Orchard fund for providing the funds to purchase the bench. It is located just inside the gate and is a great spot to relax in the tranquility of the orchard &… Continue reading Bench Installed
Tree Fairies
If you have wandered by the new Community Orchard & Nature Reserve recently you will have spotted three Tree Fairies who have taken up residence. This is our entry in the annual Pitton Carnival Scarecrow Competition. Pitton Carnival is on 5th July and we will have a stall where you can have a chat to… Continue reading Tree Fairies
Working Party 21st June 2025
We are extremely grateful to the team of volunteers who can along for a couple of hours on 21st June to help with tasks in the new Community Orchard & Nature Reserve. The aim was to prevent some of the thistles from seeding and spreading and also to rake the site to remove any remaining… Continue reading Working Party 21st June 2025
Insects in The Close
On Saturday 8th June 2025 Hannah Sankey conducted a survey of insects in The Close. Hannah spotted the following; Asian Ladybird larvae; Common Marble moth; Fourteen-spotted Ladybird larvae; Common nettle-tap moth; Three spotted nettle bug; Cricket-bat orbweaver spider, hoverflies, shield bug nymph and aphids. We are very grateful to Hannah for conducting the survey and… Continue reading Insects in The Close
Community Orchard Watering Schedule
We are seeking volunteers to join the rota for watering the fruit trees in the Community Orchard & Nature Reserve. Each tree requires 10 litres of water per week and there are twelve trees on the site. There is water and watering cans on the site and with two people it takes around 30 minutes. … Continue reading Community Orchard Watering Schedule
Hay Making
If you have visited the Community Orchard & Nature Reserve recently you will have noticed how much the grass and thistles have grown. In order to start preparing the area for reseeding with wild flowers and less vigorous grasses we need to reduce the fertility in the soil. An effective way of doing this is… Continue reading Hay Making