The Stoneleigh community orchard group was formed in May 2011 following the availability of funds from the LEADER project to create an orchard and a generous offer made by the Stoneleigh Meadows society to make available land adjacent to Stoneleigh Bridge in order to accommodate the trees.
The nucleus of the group was swiftly formed and ideas were translated into action over the weekend of December 3rd and 4th 2011 when a community event was successfully held to plant and stake some 31 cider apple trees. This event was swiftly followed by a further event to bring the complement of Apple and Perry pear trees up to 42 with the potential to increment to 46 trees by December 2012.
A second element of the project was to create a wild flower meadow within the confines of the orchard, the creation of which commenced in March 2012. It is hoped to broaden the variety of wild flowers resident within the orchard.
Finally, it is intended that the group will ultimately be able to process the fruit from the orchard in order to produce a quality “craft cider” and Perry beverage.
The group operates a “Friends of the Orchard” scheme at an annual cost of £10 which will entitle you to a share of the produce.
“We all hope the this work will enhance this area of the meadow and give additional colour, interest and dimension to our village as well as provide a community focus and resource” Pete Freeman (Chairman)