New fruit trees for Cambridgeshire villages
Orchards have long been a prominent feature in the Fenland and South Cambridgeshire landscape. Significant commercial orchards had developed around Wisbech by the 18th century, with apples shipped via the River Nene to markets in eastern England. During the 19th century, the arrival of the railways allowed fruit to be rapidly transported to major markets in London and the Midlands, leading to an explosion of orchards in the Fens, the Fen-edge “islands” and South Cambridgeshire. Single variety orchards were often concentrated along railway lines. New disease resistant rootstocks allowed more, smaller trees to be planted per hectare, and mechanization and chemical sprays for disease control increased production.
Commercial orchards around Wisbech St Mary c. 1925
In 1950, 4950 hectares of orchards were recorded in Cambridge, Huntingdon, the Isle of Ely and Soke of Peterborough. From the mid-20th century orchards show a steady decline. A 2003 DEFRA census recorded only 959 hectares in Cambridgeshire. A National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, Orchards East, saw volunteers survey 37% of Cambridgeshire parishes. Volunteers inspected 2,885 sites identified as orchards from historic maps dating back to the 19th century; of these only 370 remained as orchards. Cheap fruit imported from the Commonwealth, and latterly the Common Market, eroded the viability of fruit farms. Orchard sites have been developed for housing, industry or adapted to different arable crops.
Cambridgeshire Acre’s New Life on the Old West project has helped several villages, Cottenham, Over and Wilburton, to plant new fruit trees on community green spaces. Pupils from Over Primary School Eco-council planted a small apple and plum orchard in the village. Close to the school, this will grow to provide outdoor learning opportunities for future generations of pupils, as well as fruit for the villagers. We provided 8 fruit trees for a wonderful parish council allotment site in Wilburton. The orchard sits alongside a new wildlife pond, woodland and wildflower areas, all acting as a magnet for a range of species.
The planting team from Over Primary School
Rampton parish council kindly allowed us to arrange an orchard pruning workshop at their 20-year old orchard. Led by highly experienced Fenland orchardist Bob Lever, attendees from the villages learned some of the age old skills needed to manage their new fruit trees and ensure they become a long-lasting community resource.
Pruning workshop at Rampton Community Orchard
To find out more about the orchards of eastern England visit https://www.orchardseastforum.org/ where you’ll find advice on establishing and maintaining an orchard, details of some wonderful orchards in the region you can visit, and imaginative lesson plans for teachers and parents.
