Village plants rare trees to save heritage apples

People in a village have come together to plant a range of rare heritage apple trees.

A community orchard has been created in Barford St Martin, Wiltshire, where ancient varieties such as Bedwyn Beauty, Burn's Seedling and Mary Barnett will grow.

Other varieties include Dredge's Fame, Wiltshire's oldest recorded apple, which dates back to 1802, and Choristers Boy, a type of apple first recorded in 1890 in a Salisbury Garden.

Claire Elsworth, who coordinated the community orchard project, said: "Trees support our wellbeing and connect us to nature. We are so thrilled that this project is now a reality, particularly as it is saving some of our precious heritage varieties of apple trees."

The new orchard comes amid an uncertain future for the country's orchards.

Conservation charity, People's Trust for Endangered Species, found that since the 1950s, around 90% of traditional orchards in England and Wales have been lost due to neglect, development, and conversion into intensive agricultural land.

Elsworth added: "In the future, we will be organising many fun events in the orchard such as apple blossom days, pruning courses, Wassailing, apple pressing and more besides.

"We are keen to get children involved too, so that they can learn more about nature and the importance of growing and harvesting food."

The orchard was created with funding from the Barford St Martin Community Fund, which raises funds for community projects which benefit village residents and support the environment and nature.

There are plans for information boards at the orchard which would explain the apple varieties at the site and their history.

In addition to the heritage apple trees, plum, pear and damson trees have also been planted.

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