GOT in the news #3: Martin and Tim on Youtube
by | posted in: apples, Longney, orchard, orchard history, pears, perry pears, plums, TV, varieties, video, volunteers | 0

Gloucestershire’s Country Matters – interview with expert orchardist Martin Hayes, on CPRE Gloucestershire’s Youtube channel:

This is a video filmed in GOT’s orchards at Longney:  This is the summary from the CPRE page:

An interview with Tim Andrews, County Director of CPRE Gloucestershire, and Martin Hayes. Martin is an expert orchardist and key member of the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust. The interview explores why orchards are special to Martin and Gloucestershire, and the work Martin does to reverse their decline. Around 75% of orchards have been lost in Gloucestershire in the last 50 years.

The interview was filmed in Longney, near Gloucester at an orchard owned by the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust. CPRE Gloucestershire is presently helping to restore around 10 acres of orchard at near Slimbridge in Gloucestershire.

Tim Andrews directed, filmed and edited the video – it was his first try at doing this.  And it is rather good, though Tim says ‘improvements are planned for next time’.

 

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.

Tree Planting at the Ionian Farmshop, Berkeley 19th Feb 2022
by | posted in: community, Past Events, planting, pruning, rootstock, volunteers, workshop | 0

The Ionian Farmshop and Kitchen on the A38 near Berkeley have a tree planting event on 19th February to design and make your community orchard.  With our own Tim Andrews to show them how.

They say:

“Give back and volunteer at The Ionian as we embark on our ambition to design and make your community orchard! Aiming to provide vital green space where you can interact with nature have space to learn skills such as planting, pruning and grafting. We can all do our bit in the battle against climate change, help wildlife and our own well being!
We’ll be collaborating with the amazing Tim Andrews who will share his knowledge with us on reviving traditional orchards. We need as many volunteers as possible for this project, any help will very much appreciated. To get involved, please email theionian.a38@gmail.com.  We are so proud to attract and make people from all walks of life and every background feel welcome at The Ionian, we encourage you to roll up your sleeves, lets work together on creating a sustainable future! ”