Dartmouth Community Orchard

Dartmouth Community Orchard Dartmouth Community Orchard is a local green space and traditional orchard, and is a valuable area for both wildlife and the public.

We believe the it to be:
- A community asset that should be open to members of the public and their well behaved pets at all times.
- A place to conserve West Country fruit tree species, especially apples.
- A valuable space for a range of wildlife, both in itself and as part of a network of green spaces in and around Dartmouth. We interpret the term ‘wildlife’ widely to include trees and plants,

birds, mammals, amphibians and insects, and we believe that wildlife conservation involves not only safeguarding individual species or specimens, but in conserving the diversity which enables them to thrive. The Orchard occupies a prominent hillside position between College Way and Ridge Hill/Mount Boone. It covers 3.3 acres and is owned by Dartmouth Town Council who described it in their 2006 Strategy Document as a "community orchard" managed for wildlife conservation and quiet recreation. In 1995, field experts carried out a wildlife survey of its trees and plant life. It was clear that the Orchard is a valuable place for wildlife. Sixty-six species of plant including 'massive sweet chestnuts... a large Monterey pine... and some magnificent oaks' provided feeding, roosting and breeding habitats for birds like tawny owls, woodpeckers and blackcaps as well as other small creatures including bats. The Orchard is also rich in insect life. Since 1996 the orchard has been restored with the planting of 70 new apple trees and the introduction of seats and signage to encourage visitors to come and enjoy this special place.

Dear FriendsPlease join us on SUNDAY 05 JULY at 11.00am at the Ridge Hill Entrance to the Community Orchard.We are takin...
28/05/2026

Dear Friends

Please join us on SUNDAY 05 JULY at 11.00am at the Ridge Hill Entrance to the Community Orchard.

We are taking a slightly less formal approach to our AGM this year, trying out a change of venue and combining it with a gentle social event, whilst hoping for some summer sunshine to bless the orchard and its Friends. We invite you to meet us outdoors in the central area by the shelter where we hold our regular Apple Pressing event. The formal part of the AGM will start with routine business followed by your committee updating you on the highlights of the year. A brief written report will also be available on the day to take away.

AGM AGENDA includes:
* MINUTES of the AGM held on 30 April 2025

* ELECTION of Committee Members
Julie Downing, Jemma Pyne, Pamela Nicholson, Lee Thorneywork and Sally Walley have completed their second term of office and indicated their willingness to be re-elected. However your committee would be very happy to hear from anyone else who would like to join us.
A nomination form is available from the secretary Lee Thorneywork on [email protected] and needs to be completed and submitted to her by Tuesday 23 June 2026.
Julie, Pamela and Lee have also indicated their willingness to continue as Chair, Treasurer and Secretary respectively.
Juliet Mason-Jones, Robert Williams and David Thorneywork have all agreed to complete their second year of their term of office.

* FINANCE report for the year ending 31 December 2025 together with update on current balance etc.

* REPORT ON ACTIVITIES of the Friends since the last AGM

* OBJECTIVES for the current and forthcoming years, together with any financial implications.

* OTHER BUSINESS

If any Friend has any issue that they wish to raise under this heading please also email details to the secretary, as above, by Tuesday 23 June.

Please note that only Friends whose name appears on the register will be entitled to vote on any AGM item.

THE SOCIAL BIT

We hope you will stay and catch up with other Friends as well as join us for a decent cup of tea/coffee and cake etc. There will be no charge for this but a donation box is always available! (cash only on this occasion please). This is an ideal opportunity for you to also give us your feedback and suggestions which we welcome.

For further details, visit https://www.dartmouthcommunityorchard.co.uk/events

Lee Thorneywork
Secretary

DartmouthCommunityOrchard website is to help local residents and visitors learn more about the orchard, contact us and to get involved.

Spring Update 2026 from our Secretary:It feels wonderful to be writing at a time when the apple trees are resplendent in...
16/05/2026

Spring Update 2026 from our Secretary:

It feels wonderful to be writing at a time when the apple trees are resplendent in their blossoms - I recently read a quote ‘blossom by blossom spring begins’ and it seems so apt this year after such a long wet winter, and so many sad news stories. It is also interesting to see the different stages of blossom as the trees indicate if they fruit earlier or later in the season. We hope you too are looking forward to spring and have had the opportunity to visit the orchard.

The working parties were very behind with the pruning schedule as numerous work days were cancelled due to bad weather, but thankfully we were able to catch up better than anticipated and after some well attended and active sessions, the pruning was completed just in time - before the birds and insects need the trees to be left alone!!!

Work parties also managed to remove some of the invasive heliotrope which if left unchecked will stifle other plants. Whilst a useful early pollinator it will grow to dominate areas if left uncontrolled. Some has been left, but we wanted to try to control some of the heliotrope spread.

The bees have successfully overwintered and are now beginning to wake and be active. Please be aware notices are put out to advise the bee keepers are working around the hives. Please avoid disturbing the bee keepers and the bees during operations. Thank you.

​This year, we're taking a different approach to the AGM. We’ll still be following due process but intend to experiment with combining the meeting with an early summer social in the orchard. This event will take place at the Ridge Hill entrance to the orchard at 11.00am on Sunday 5 July 2026. We look forward to seeing our ‘friends’ there. Further information and ‘official paperwork’ to follow closer to that date.
Lee Thorneywork

08/12/2025
A proper Community Orchard Sunday lunch accompaniment - sauce made with apples and honey from the Orchard 🍯 🍏 🥰
20/10/2025

A proper Community Orchard Sunday lunch accompaniment - sauce made with apples and honey from the Orchard 🍯 🍏 🥰

Good morning folk of Dartmouth!Our apple day is going ahead today.You’re very welcome at the Orchard from 10.00am until ...
04/10/2025

Good morning folk of Dartmouth!
Our apple day is going ahead today.
You’re very welcome at the Orchard from 10.00am until the apples run out 🥰

03/10/2025

Feeling Autumnal? Then coming to our Apple Day would be a perfect way to celebrate this wonderful season. Join us from 10.00 am this Saturday and help us keep the traditions going. It’s always a happy event.

Fresh juice, honey (from our own bees) chutney, cakes and candles available for a CASH donation …. All proceeds to our funds.

Hope to see you there!

17/05/2025

Is this moon walking in Dartmouth or just some of our very own Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard on bee hive manoeuvres?!

More news on the bees coming soon ….

Address

Ridge Hill
Dartmouth

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