Rokeby Recreation Ground Community Orchard
2021: The pictures show an aerial view of the chosen planting site and the orchard planted by the tree sponsors after the first planting weekend of 27th - 28th November 2021
We have now created a community orchard as a lovely, long term space for the villagers of Tokers Green, Dyson’s Wood and Chazy Heath to enjoy.
It is located in the second field at Rokeby Recreation Ground, with the kind permission of Mapleduram Parish council.
We invited local residents to be part of this community project by donating and planting a tree. Everyone interested was asked to choose either an apple, pear, plum, cherry or quince tree.
The most suitable trees were selected, from a local nursery, based on appearance, rootstock and pollination characteristics, with an overall balance of varieties.
The 31 heritage trees were planted in the first year of the orchard as a community activity on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November 2021, and the slideshows below show the chosen site, its preparation the weekend before the initial planting, the activities over the first planting weekend, and the planted orchard. Scroll down to see pictures of our regular work to maintain the orchard as well as the community coming together to plant more trees in later years -
Although the trees were donated and planted by individuals or families, they now belong to the community so that maintenance, such as weeding and pruning, and harvesting of the fruit each Autumn, will be a collective effort. Hopefully, the trees should begin to bear fruit in 2 or 3 years.
Previous years: Community Orchard working party activity
Working Party Activity
Community Orchard Activity Year 2025
September 2025 Update
2025 September 2nd: At our working session this evening we raked the cut grass away from the areas where we had previously planted wildflowers. We simply raked it to one side so that as it composts it does not improve the soil quality as that would hinder the wildflowers. We also removed windfalls from around some of the trees and picked the fruit that was ripe and ready. This picked fruit was left on one of the benches an villagers were invited (via WhatsApp) to help themselves to the picked fruit.
August 2025 Update
2025 August 5th: On our normal "first Tuesday of the month" working session we weeded the trees, watered those most in need, and thinned some fruit from overloaded branches. We also harvested some ripe plums and shared them among the volunteers present at the time. Graham had also recently cut the grass so it is looking splendid again. Pictured are the volunteers and also the fruit taken down from the trees. There is plenty of fruit still growing which should be ripe over the next few weeks
July 2025 Update
2025 July 14: With the continuing hot and dry weather we needed to water every tree again. Each tree got a bucket of water whole the pears and plums got a second bucket as they looked more stressed. Thanks again to the merry band of water carriers and also to Howard & Sandy for the use of their outside tap.
July 2025 Update
2025 July 1: We had a good sized group of villagers helping today to weed around the base of trees and to water the trees most in need - those looking most parched and those with a heavy fruit crop. We also thinned a few of the apples to relieve them of too many of a single branch. Thanks to all who came along, and weeded, watered and chatted.
Last week Phil kindly brought his strimmer and tidied up under the benches too.
June 2025 Update
2025 June 23rd: After the hot dry spell it was time to water all the trees again. We had a very good turnout of helpers to carry buckets today. The photo shows some of the group but not everyone who was helping today. Every tree got a bucket full of water and a full bucket was left beside each tree too. Thanks to Howard & Sandy for use of their tap (again). We also thinned some of the fruit, and pruned the pear, quince & cherry trees. One of the cherry trees had fruited and we picked 370g of the ripe cherries too.
June 2025 Update
2025 June 3rd: At our regular monthly maintenance session a group of us weeded round the base of all the trees, refixed some of the mesh and stakes that had come loose and sprayed trees which have caterpillars attacking them. Graham had also recently mowed the grass and the whole orchard looks splendid with much fruit showing too - already for the village Big Lunch on June 8th
May 2025 Update
2025 May 2nd: Given the recent hot dry weather we decided all the trees needed some water so this evening a crew helped give every tree a bucket of water. Thanks to everyone for helping out. We also enjoyed chatting as the buckets were filled up. Fun fact - we used 917 litres.
April 2025 Updates
2025 April 22nd: Last night we added an information board to the orchard. It is a plan which shows the different types of fruit trees we have.
Many thanks to Dave Thornton for constructing the board and to Sharon and Glenn George for getting it printed. and to Cath Middleton for the beautiful artwork.
2025 April 6th: Thanks to Graham for mowing the orchard for the first time this year. All the trees seem healthy and the blossom is starting to appear as are some of our wild flowers
February 2025 Update
23rd February: A hardy bunch spent a couple of hours putting mulch around the base of all our trees. They look fantastic now with a "doughnut" of mulch around them all - which hopefully will restrain the growth of weeds..
January 2025 Update
January 8th: We had our 3rd annual Wassail and there was a huge turnout of friends and neighbours from the village - probably over 80 people. We drank cider, sang Wassail songs, processed around the orchard, banged our drums & pots, then sprinkled cider on every tree, tied toast to them all and did all we could to encourage the trees to prosper, the blossom to flourish and the fruit to be bountiful. As before, we were delighted to be joined by the singers and dancers from Armaleggan.