Planting an Orchard in the height of winter on a solar farm in driving rain requires a special type of person, and that recipe was brought together by the Friends of Cuckmere Community Solar and their good hearted neighbours, with Fellows from the RSA South East (https://www.thersa.org/about-us) and the Tree Guru Bryn Thomas of Brighton Permaculture Trust with Clare from Wychwood Biodiversity.
Spades, gloves, posts, mulch and trees at the ready with full waterproofs we set to it, to plant an orchard of 12 fruit trees including varieties from Sussex; Nanny, Wadhurst Pippin, Doctor Hogg, Eastbourne Pippin, Tinsley Quince, Saltcote Pippin, Alfriston, Mareda, Sussex Mother, Golden Bounty, Crawley Reinette, and Forge.
Our hardy troupe were fed by soup and cakes from local Upper Dicker Café followed up by Mulled Apple Juice from mature orchards planted another time just a crows flight away at Stanmer Park along the downs. The sun will shine and the sky will water these blessed trees that will bear fruit for wildlife and our neighbours to enjoy. Well done everyone – Our Power. You can see more photos from Clare of Wychwood Biodiversity here: https://tinyurl.com/y9tudm3n
