This spring we’ve given away 500 apple trees to community groups across the nation who are doing wonderful things in their local area.

From Wiltshire to West Lothian, and Brighton to Bury, groups we’re chosen based on the benefits they can bring to their local area, and how they will make the most of the apple trees. Each group was given ten trees and everything they need to plant and tend to them.

Now in its fifth year, the Thatchers Community Orchard Project has given away over 2,000 trees, with the 500 trees this year going to well deserving groups including:

• BUG Community Garden in Manchester who will use the orchard for food education, promoting the physical and mental benefits of growing food together as a community.
• The Old Sarum Garden Centre in Salisbury for adults with learning difficulties. They are part of the local community and will use the trees to bring people together for apple pressing, as well as using the apples in their cooking, making preserves and pickles with and for their members.
• Berry Hill Community Orchard in Coleford, who are turning wasteland into an orchard that will bring the community together and when the trees are matured, press their first cider.
• Greenview Nursery in Hereford where they will plant the trees in a shared space and use the orchard for educating children. They will also offer the apples free of charge in their community larder.
• Dunblane Development Trust who support individuals with dementia and will use the trees in weekly activities engaging their members.

Fourth generation cider maker, Martin Thatcher, who planted his first apple tree in Somerset at the age of just five, adds, “From a single apple tree to a community orchard, it can make such a difference to people’s well-being. We’re delighted to have received so many great applications again this year, and we send sincere congratulations to our fabulous winners. We can’t wait to hear about how you get on and what you do with your new orchards.

Martin continued: “We believe that orchards are special places that have the power to give communities a place to come together, to learn, to share, to connect with nature and reflect on the world around them, all while contributing to biodiversity and creating new habitats for nature.

“At Thatchers’ home on Myrtle Farm we’re surrounded by 500 acres of orchards. Spending time in them is something we are lucky enough to enjoy, and we want to share that with others.”

The trees being planted include a selection of apple varieties, including both eating apples and cider apples. They include the popular Cox and Bramley apples, a favourite for cooking. “We believe these are the perfect trees for the community groups. The varieties have been selected specifically for easy growing and minimum upkeep, such as Bramley, Scrumptious, Dabinett and Katy” continues Martin. “Groups could press the fruits into juice, or of course enjoy eating or cooking them.”

This year we planted 13,000 new trees in our own new 50 acre orchard in Somerset.