GOT in the news #2: BBC Countryfile
by | posted in: mistletoe, orchard, TV, volunteers | 0

Gloucestershire orchards featured in the Christmas broadcast of BBC Countryfile, on 18th December.

Countryfile’s Adam Henson, a Gloucestershire farmer himself, joined GOT’s Jonathan Briggs and Tim Andrews in tackling excess mistletoe in an orchard at Moreton Valence.  Jonathan talked to Adam about mistletoe issues and Tim brought along the kit to do the work and talked Adam through the process. And passed round some of his cider afterwards.

The whole piece lasted for about 6 minutes – which is not bad of this sort of programme!

You can view the whole programme (the orchard section starts at about 13 minutes in) at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001gcmv/countryfile-rockingham-castle

There are some screenshots below:

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GOT in the news #1: Martin and the planting of 400 trees
by | posted in: orchard, planting, volunteers | 0

Martin Hayes’ recent, and very successful, work to plant more orchard trees as part of a Trees for Climate Change project has generated a lot of interest, including from the media. He liaised with Gloucestershire County Council to give heritage fruit trees to community orchard groups and individuals across the county – many thanks to him and all who have taken part.

David Lindgren, Chair of GOT, said “Over 400 fruit trees are being planted around the county in about 20 orchards. Orchards remain under great threat in Gloucestershire. They continue to decline due to the lack of maintenance, excessive mistletoe and lack of succession planting. We hope that this will add to the work that the Trust already does helping to reverse the decline. Much of the hard work applying for the various grants was undertaken by orchardist and member of the Trust, Martin Hayes. Martin has travelled around Europe thanks to his work with orchards. His most recent visit was to Hungary to share his knowledge and research how orchards are managed in central Europe.

Martin added “The biodiversity value of traditional orchards like we see in Gloucestershire is huge. These trees will help make sure there are healthy orchard habitats in 50 years time across the county.”

The initiative has been covered the Stroud News and Journal, The Gazette, Stroud Times and Punchline. And has been filmed for BBC Points West – more about that – and a Radio interview – soon.