Over the last few months a lot has been going on at the new Community Orchard and Nature Reserve.
Currently we are waiting confirmation from Wiltshire Council that they will grant full public access in advance of the land transfer to Pitton and Farley Parish Council.
Thanks to the support of the Coronation Living Heritage Orchard Fund we have planted twelve fruit trees and installed fencing and gates.
The Woodland Trust donated 420 hedgerow trees and these have enabled us to plant 100 metres of new hedging.
The fruit trees have required extra care during the prolonged dry spring and each tree has had a weekly dose of 10 litres of water.
We are pleased to say despite the challenging conditions the fruit trees and hedging look very healthy.
Over recent weeks paths have been cut, please follow these to avoid disturbing the natural habitat.
Two seating areas have been created so as soon as public access is granted by Wiltshire Council there will be areas for you to sit and enjoy this wonderful site.
A temporary water container has been installed to enable the watering of the fruit trees. When the land has been transferred to the Parish Council we will erect an information shelter and this will enable us to capture water on the site.
A bench will soon be installed and we will be seeking volunteers to assist in clearing some of the thistles and other weeds in the hedgerow and around the newly planted trees.
PNT has agreed a 25 year management agreement with the Parish Council. Later in the year there will be work undertaken to reseed the area with wildflowers and different varieties of grasses.
When there is clarity around the land transfer from Wiltshire Council to the Parish Council we will be planning an official opening event.
