Saturday 19th January 2013
Colin French has very kindly updated dannyhowell.net with the latest news concerning the Warminster Area Community Orchard (W.A.C.O.). The orchard will transform the National Trust field on the south side of Boreham Road, immediately east of Bradfield Close. The field was always known as ‘Boreham Field’ but has in the last few years acquired the adopted name of Yeates Meadow, a reference to the late Major E.P. Yeates, who lived in Wylye Lodge, 86 Boreham Road, Warminster. Major Yeates presented the field to the National Trust in 1966. Since that time, the National Trust have let the field to various local farmers over the years, for grazing cattle and haymaking. In recent years the field has become extremely popular with dog walkers.
Colin French writes:
Warminster And District Community Orchard (W.A.C.O.)
The six acre field known locally as Yeates Meadow is soon to be planted with a variety of fruit trees to create a new community orchard.
After two years work by a small group of volunteers, involving negotiation with both the Warminster Town Council and the National Trust, plus raising funds for the project, the group is hoping to add the trees in the near future.
Forty trees will be planted in the first phase of the scheme and these will include a collection of old Wiltshire varieties plus more modern varieties such as Redlove. Several well-known varieties including Cox and Russet are also to be included.
A new tenancy agreement to be signed between Warminster Town Council and the National Trust will include the orchard scheme while insuring that the field will be protected for the 15 year term of the lease.
When established the orchard will become, among other things, the focus for teaching the art of pruning to local schoolchildren and for the celebration of Apple day; with maybe a bit of Wassailing during the winter.
Volunteers are ready and waiting to begin the planting, and the trees will be well protected by posts, rails and wire. On-going maintenance will also be done by the volunteers too.
If you would like to help with the project please get in touch with Colin French, telephone 01985 846410.
