Warminster Community Orchard

Warminster Community Orchard Warminster Community Orchard was the inspiration of the late Colin French and the first planting took place in 2013.

There are rare Wiltshire variety apples, also pear, mulberry and quince. Managed by volunteers, there is a wassail and apple pressing.

Let's talk about blossom! In the hedgerows for a few weeks there has been blackthorn a-plenty so that prompted a stroll...
10/04/2026

Let's talk about blossom! In the hedgerows for a few weeks there has been blackthorn a-plenty so that prompted a stroll round the Community Orchard to see what was happening. First off, the remaining cherry that was planted for the Queen's Jubilee was flowering. The western block of trees looked pretty closed up from a distance and two trees: Kingston Black and Bedwyn Beauty look very dormant (an eye shall be kept on these) but then closer inspection of James Grieve shows it is bursting. It shows that all the trees are individuals. A wander down the lower path had the pink blossom of Sops in Wine in sight - a lovely little tree. Rounding up the eastern side, the pears are always early: we have five - Conference, Beurre Hardy and Doyenne du Comice. So, to be continued!

This is a post about the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan 2. This is for information only, please note. Any opinions shou...
09/03/2026

This is a post about the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan 2. This is for information only, please note. Any opinions should be addressed to the Council. There is a chance to do this for the final time on Wednesday, 18th March 11am - 2pm at the Civic Centre. I was interested to see this aerial view of the Orchard (photo credit to WTC) in the Plan document and information on their noticeboards. Many people have devoted a huge amount of their own personal time to contribute to this document.

It really was a grey day that was dreich, in Scottish terms, but it didn't rain and we had several new folk join us in t...
08/03/2026

It really was a grey day that was dreich, in Scottish terms, but it didn't rain and we had several new folk join us in the last of our winter pruning sessions. And not a moment too soon as buds were clearly getting plump. Here we are with Danielle again, this time looking at the pear trees. They have a more columnar growth but the approach is still similar to apples in terms of simplifying and reigning in the overall height. The Redlove variety continue to be complex and we definitely were able to make more informed decision about what to remove. Well, the season will tell us!

Amy sent these lovely photos of her early morning walk on the Orchard with the atmospheric rays of light as the mist lif...
06/03/2026

Amy sent these lovely photos of her early morning walk on the Orchard with the atmospheric rays of light as the mist lifts. You can tell it is going to be a fine day.

Well, what ISN'T on my mind any more is the re-staking of the trees that were planted last year! Stand back for the cra...
04/03/2026

Well, what ISN'T on my mind any more is the re-staking of the trees that were planted last year! Stand back for the crack team of volunteers who work on the Smallbrook Nature Reserve owned by Wiltshire Wildlife. They had been bramble bashing the previous few weeks so the chance to do some less scratchy work clearly appealed and there was a wonderful air of busy-ness on the Orchard.

The trees are now well-protected (here's the Small Leaved Lime) and there was even time to remove two of the buddleias that were by the Boreham Road main entrance. Not an easy task. Special Biscuits were provided to give that sugar-boost. Job's a good-un as they say. Many, many thanks to John, Clive, Paul, Steve, Peter, Greg and others whose names I have forgotten. Do come again!!

Maybe ten year's ago, a batch of the native daffodils were planted on the Orchard and, once you get your eye in looking ...
26/02/2026

Maybe ten year's ago, a batch of the native daffodils were planted on the Orchard and, once you get your eye in looking at the foliage, there are plenty more to come. Plucky little things that, on a dull day, add a splash of colour.

'Tis the time of year that the orchard gets a trim and we had the first of two sessions with a new teacher. Danielle fr...
25/02/2026

'Tis the time of year that the orchard gets a trim and we had the first of two sessions with a new teacher. Danielle from The Vegan Veg Gardeners was fantastic at clarifying what to cut where and the ways to recognise tip and spur fruiting varieties. Time with a professional certainly clarifies how to look at the trees and create the best shape. Quote of the day was 'If you can't throw your hat through it, cut it out!'

Time for some art! A recent trip to Swindon's Museum and Art Gallery proved very interesting and enjoyed discovering tw...
20/02/2026

Time for some art! A recent trip to Swindon's Museum and Art Gallery proved very interesting and enjoyed discovering two painting by Bertha Newcombe (1857 - 1947) done in watercolour. She was one of the first women to study at the Slade School of Art. Apart from the mowing, I fancy the farmhouse has some fruit trees in front of it.

18/02/2026

We are planning some fresh information boards on Yeates Meadow and want to include some of your memories. Did you play there as a child? Animals were kept there but when would that have been? Please message as your stories will bring the meadow's history alive.

Winter is a busy time for an orchard. Dormancy is when the trees get pruned and simplified. Who knows whether the yiel...
15/02/2026

Winter is a busy time for an orchard. Dormancy is when the trees get pruned and simplified. Who knows whether the yield will be as phenomenal as last year but they will be glad of a trim. We have two winter pruning sessions coming up as well as two in the summer. It will be a good chance to learn on the Orchard's trees and get your eye in for any you have at home.

It's a wrap! Wassail 2026 was a success despite being braced for who-knows-what weather! The area was made ready in go...
02/02/2026

It's a wrap! Wassail 2026 was a success despite being braced for who-knows-what weather! The area was made ready in good time and then it was the inaugural use of our own gazebo. The almost-full moon, plus Jupiter, gave us a magical sky the whole time. The songs, the banging of pans and hanging toast on the trees are all part of the Wassail tradition enacted all over the orchard counties. We also had our own Wiltshire Wassail song to add to the occasion, composed by Naomi Styles. Photo credits: John Russell and Amy Darbyshire

Address

Boreham Road
Warminster
BA12

Telephone

+447940549339

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