Martin Hayes is leading two pruning workshops at GOT’s lovely Longney Orchards on
Tuesday 11th May 2021 and Tuesday 18th May 2021 at 10am-3pm (or whatever time you can spare). Booking essential (see below)
We welcome you even if you just want to come down and enjoy the orchards, take photos or just hear what Martin has to say. There’s always something new to learn or see! We also value any help members/volunteers can give at Longney, but there is no obligation. Anyone who would like to come regularly will also be welcome. We currently have school groups, special needs young people and asylum seekers that Martin oversees on other days.
11th May: Apple pruning
Morning: talk on GOT and orchard tour. Pruning of medium sized trees.
Afternoon: pruning of young trees.
18th May: Plum pruning
Same as above.
Booking:
Please book through Ann Smith on ann@smithcovell.co.uk
No charge! Maximum of 12 places for each day. You may be able to do both workshops.
Please bring:
A packed lunch/tea/coffee/snacks but juice is provided and will also be for sale. We will bring some extra biscuits!
Appropriate weather attire/stout footwear.
There is a barn, tables and chairs if it rains.
Please observe socially distancing, wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer/wipes for yourself, although we will have some. There is also running cold water and a composting toilet.
Martin has some tools but if you can bring gloves and any pruning tools, that would be extremely helpful.
We hope to bring some orchard-related books for sale, so please bring your cheque book (payable to “GOT”) or cash. We intend to let you browse/buy these at the white railings at 10am (too heavy to take the set down to the orchards!)
Health & Safety:
Martin will go through Health & Safety with you, but I will email a Risk Assessment to those who book. Martin is first aid trained and we have a first aid kit.
We will need in advance a list of attendees and emergency phone numbers.
The ground is uneven and there are brambles, nettles and low hanging branches. No climbing of ladders please, as we are not insured for that.
Please pile up any prunings into designated piles, rather than just leaving on the ground as we need to mow. Don’t put into the hedgerow please.
Parking/Meeting:
Please park sensitively near the white railings (near Bow Lane Cottage) at Longney or safely anywhere along the road. There is no vehicular access to the orchards – just continue on foot down the public right of way track at the white railings. The grid ref. for the white railings is SO 7598 1368.
Martin will either meet you at the white railings or just come on down (several hundred yards across arable to the orchards). In wet weather, the track is extremely muddy. First orchard is Long Tyning (long and thin) then Bollow. Also on site are Middle & Lower Orchards which have been planted up with heritage apple and plum trees of regional/national importance. Sorry, no dogs as we have sheep. Please keep gates closed.
Come and see the renovated barn, interpretation signage and enjoy the views and wildlife (we have several species of owls). This is a great opportunity to learn new skills or continue with already acquired skills.