What is Whitlingham Community Orchard?
During March 2024, the team took delivery of 30 Norfolk variety apple trees to create a wonderful community orchard at the park.
Whitlingham Charitable Trust are grateful for the grant funding we received from Sinclair international Ltd, through Norfolk County Council tree grants, which enabled this project to happen.
Our new trees count towards the Million Trees for Norfolk project, which the park continues to support with every tree or hedging plant laid at Whitlingham Country Park.
Big thanks also go out to the enthusiastic group of school councillors from Trowse Primary School who helped us plant the apple trees, alongside our regular volunteers.
Which varieties of apple have been planted?
It was important to us to choose Norfolk varieties. At Whitlingham, we always use local providers, services and products wherever possible.
We have planted these apple varieties:
Five Crowned Pippin
Winter Majetin
Golden Noble
Norfolk Royal
Norfolk Royal Russet
Red Falstaff
Adams Pearmain
Horsford Prolific
All trees were sourced from the East of England Apples and Orchards Project.
Where is the orchard?
If you haven't noticed our orchard yet, it's probably because it's in an area of the park which is not open to the public. It is located on the gated archery field near the entrance to the park to protect the apple trees as they establish. They each have a tree guard to prevent them being damaged by visiting wildlife as they grow.
If you spot the orchard from the Little Broad path, you'll notice that some of our trees are now over 2 metres tall and are ready to start branching out!
How will the community enjoy the orchard?
The trees are growing and developing at the moment, so there isn't much to see yet. Buds are just starting to emerge for the spring. There are exciting plans for when the trees are suitably established. We must be patient until then.
Once the trees are in full fruit, we will be able to invite the community to share in events in the orchard, which could include apple picking, juice-making and apple cookery. We are also raising money to buy a Flow Hive and bees. This will support pollination in the orchard and be another aspect for community involvement. If you want to support this project, please visit the 'Donate to a project' button at the top of your screen. Thank you.
Exciting times to come... Watch this space!
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