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Orchard & Community Groups

Community Land Advisory Service CLAS was set up to help combat the lack of available land for community gardening, community orchard groups and associated green space activities. It helps communities to access land for community use. Advice is provided free of charge.

Orchard Network A partnership of organisations working together for the conservation of traditional orchards as a wildlife habitat. Their website includes information on orchard biodiversity and orchard management. Look up an orchard group or event in your area or add your own group or event to the site.

The Orchard Marketplace An online marketplace to facilitate the exchange of surplus orchard related produce, such as fruits and even services, e.g., trees for sale, skills and equipment. View the produce available throughout the country or post your own request for produce on their website.

South Lakeland Orchard Group The South Lakeland Orchard Group is an enthusiastic & knowledgeable group that aims to conserve, maintain and renovate existing orchards; encourage the planting of new orchards in the South Lakeland, recognising and enhancing bio-diversity and encouraging the preservation of old varieties of fruit.

Gloucestershire Orchard Group Gloucestershire Orchard Group aims to conserve, promote and celebrate traditional orchards in Gloucestershire. The informative website has details of heritage fruit varieties, nurseries, surveys, orchard management, local events, tree protection, wildlife, online marketplace, schools, publications and many useful contacts.

Abundance Network A network of fruit harvesting groups throughout the UK who collect unwanted fruits and put them to good use! You can find a group near you to join, or set up your own local group using their helpful guidance.

Marcher Apple Network

Orchard Link Saving traditional orchards.

Orchards Live Saving orchards in North Devon & apple juicing & cider making courses (in Devon).

Bridport Community Orchard An orchard and green space in Bridport maintained by the Bridport Community Orchard Group and freely available for everyone to enjoy informally. The Group host many apple-related events throughout the year.

Community Veg Growing Project, North London If you'd like to read an inspiring story about setting up a community growing project, have a look at Naomi Schillinger's fantastic blog. In 2009 Naomi and Nicolette Jones joined forces with a few 'green-fingered' neighbours, all of whom were complete strangers, and started to grow vegetables and flowers in front gardens and window boxes. They now have a body of over a hundred households in their neighbourhood who have created beautiful growing spaces which benefit the whole community and have regular get-togethers, such as Cake Sunday, to share tips and inspire each other. It's not just vegetables that are grown - Naomi has had a successful harvest from the loquat tree in her garden!

Keen to set up your community group?

You're not alone! For advice and inspiration on setting up a fruit-related community group see our Community Group pages. If you want to get a group together to utilise unwanted fruits in your local area Abundance Network welcomes new groups!

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