EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 21st MAY 2026

A view of the orchard between paths to the left and right where the interpretation board is located. An apple tree in blossom in the foreground.

In 2015 the Woodland Trust kindly granted us some land at Thorn Wood in order to plant a Memorial Orchard in memory of all who served in two World Wars and in more recent conflicts. In order to acquire the lease we had to register as a limited company and as a consequence we had to submit annual accounts. Tax Assist in Northwich did this for us at an annual cost of about £40. Recent changes in tax laws meant that new software was necessary in order to submit our accounts at an estimated annual cost of £200-£300. However Paul Barrett of Boardman Conway, 23a High St, Weaverham kindly agreed to do the work for £100 + VAT.

Initially individuals and groups were happy to sponsor trees and we were also able to raise money for capital expenditure on picnic benches, a notice board and an interpretation board. However, it is very difficult to find organisations prepared to help us with running costs such as insurance, hiring someone to do the annual grass cut and other minor expenses which together can cost up to £800 pa. Unless the meeting can find a way of raising the required amount of money each year we will have to relinquish our lease and dissolve the company.

Apple trees in blossom showing the circle of dwarf trees.

We have been surprised by recent DNA analyses which have shown that our Wareham Russet saplings have the same DNA as the Dutch variety Lemoen. Our original grafts were taken from a tree previously identified by the late Cheshire apple expert, Tony Gentil, as the only known existing Wareham Russet tree. It is worth noting that when we approached the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm, Kent, in 2015, they advised, on the basis of samples submitted to their fruit identification service, that our apples matched the physical description of the Wareham Russet. On the basis of this confirmation we propagated the trees in the orchard.

For more information on the DNA analysis see https://orchard.weaverham.org.uk/2023-2025-dna-analysis/

We would like to invite as many people as possible to attend the meeting at 7.30p.m. on Thursday, 21^st May at the Sea Scout Hall, Weaverham on the corner of Well Lane and Church Street. Parking is available in St Mary’s Church car park.

Tina Johnson