Marlborough Community Orchard was started by a group of determined volunteers with a vision of a town among the trees. They wanted to do something about the decline in native orchards over the past 50 years and to make Marlborough a better place to live. They gained the support of local people, community groups and businesses; raising funds to buy trees and identifying sites for planting. In 2010 the first trees were planted as small whips in the Jubilee Gardens and today there are nearly 100 mature trees throughout the town for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoying the Orchard
Trees support our wellbeing and connect us to nature. Marlborough’s trees have beautiful blossom in early spring when you may spot bees and other pollinators enjoying this too. Their leaves gradually unfurl providing shade and a place to sit, read a book, draw or have a picnic in the heat of summer. This is followed by fruit which ripens by the autumn and is there for anyone to pick and use. The community orchard includes apples, plums, damsons and medlars with some varieties for eating and others for cooking.
Each tree has a label with the type and we hope to put up information signs. At the moment we are planting wildflowers at the Diamond Jubilee Plantation which has 25 trees to add nectar for pollinators and encourage wildlife. We are developing an Orchard Walk leaflet (available soon) and also run events such as wassails and apple pressings which are open to everyone and publicised here on our website.
Where is Marlborough Community Orchard?
The Diamond Jubilee Plantation is at the heart of the community orchard where most of the trees are ancient Wiltshire apple trees which, along with many of England’s native fruit trees, are in danger of being forgotten due to the pressures of the commercial apple market. It is a quiet spot at the top of Kingsbury Street with plenty of space for a picnic or games where you can see Wiltshire’s oldest varieties of trees, with one over 200 years old.
2. Wye House Garden – Barn Street is just off the town centre and beautifully kept with flowers, a pond, lawns and toddler’s play area. It includes 12 community orchard trees and is open from 9am until dusk.
3. Priory Gardens – behind the High Street are a lovely stopping point. They are bordered by the River Kennet where you can often see wildlife. There is plenty of seating and 6 community orchard trees.
4. Roger’s Meadow – has an orchard of 17 trees.
5. Waitrose car park – check out the espaliered trees of Marlborough Community Orchard along the wall as you do your shopping.
There are also a number of smaller sites:
How can I get involved?
We welcome volunteers to help us look after the orchard trees at events such as bulb and tree plantings and with seasonal jobs. Each spring we check and mulch the trees to encourage their growth. Later in the year we prune (instructions given on the day), thin the fruit and harvest it. We are also looking for volunteers to ‘befriend’ trees in their area, carry out the above jobs and let us know of any problems such as a broken branch. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact secretary@transitionmarlborough.org
Wildflower planting at the Diamond Jubilee Plantation
Future Plans
Marlborough Community Orchard is now overseen by Transition Marlborough. As well as caring for the trees we are actively enhancing the Diamond Jubilee Plantation for biodiversity where the site is under our direct management. We have reduced mowing which benefits both insects and the wildlife that preys upon them and are planting wildflowers to provide food for pollinating insects in early spring and late autumn when other sources are less available. We also plan to improve signs and encourage enjoyment of Marlborough Community Orchard through a town trail leaflet and fruit-themed events, and to plant more trees in the future.
Community Supporters
A big thanks to all those who have sponsored trees in the Orchard. If you would like to sponsor a tree, perhaps to remember a special event or person, please contact secretary@transitionmarlborough.org
