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. 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, submitting our accounts and hiring someone to do the annual grass cut, which together with a few minor expenses can cost up to £800 pa.

At our recent extraordinary meeting it was decided that we should therefore relinquish our lease and dissolve our company. This will mean that if there is any money left over after necessary expenditure it should be donated to a charity with similar aims. Our volunteers will register with the Woodland Trust and become Thorn Wood volunteers. This means that we will continue to look after the orchard as we have done in the past and our notice bard will continue to be used to remember those who served in past conflicts as well as providing information about wild flowers etc. In other words, we will largely continue as normal. The only difference will be that we will have no money of our own to provide or look after our amenities. For example, in order to encourage the growth of wild flowers The Woodland Trust will pay for our annual grass cut in the autumn. However, if we wish to arrange a service involving local schools, local churches and the local community in order to commemorate a special anniversary, as we have on a few occasions in the past, we will need another organisation to pay the necessary insurance. For similar insurance reasons we will not be able to wassail at the beginning of the year although the trees are now large enough. 

Tina Johnson

orchard@weaverham.org.uk Orchard.weaverham.org.uk

Facebook.com/The Memorial Orchard