St Ann’s Community Orchard will be 21 years old at the start of September, yet, despite this coming of age, its main focus will always be the world of the child.
It was originally conceived way back in 2001 as a way of demonstrating a use for what were then overgrown plots at risk of redevelopment. As these plots were cleared and planted by various groups of volunteers (including hundreds of school children), new partnerships began to develop that have flourished to this day. And, as well as being home to a network of complex community partnerships in itself, it also serves as a gateway to the site as a whole, a bridge between the natural beauty of the allotments and the inner-city environment that surrounds it.
The Orchard has been a core and indelible part of the experience of local school children. Whether they’re learning about plants and animals or Ancient Romans or World War 2 evacuees, this is hands-on learning that stays in the mind and body forever. In the holidays and after school, children have also been able to come and play and explore and make new friendships, safe in a magical environment. Young people experiencing particular difficulties such as acute mental health issues, learning difficulties, vulnerable home-lives and/or asylum-seeker status have benefitted from our long-running Children in Need project. And in recent years, even the very youngest have been able to take their first steps in the natural world through the New Shoots project for 0-4 year-olds.
Indeed, the list of partnerships is endless; wherever there is a group in the community who might benefit from access to this beautiful, relaxing space, we have extended a hand and offered a space. And of course, every month there is a Community Open Day when everyone can come together and share experiences and find out what it’s all about. Whether it’s making popcorn on the fire, building a den, meet Percy the Park-keeper, learning the survival skills of ancient tribes-people, cooking pizza in the oven, growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables, building structures and clipping hedges, searching for bugs, playing dobby hide and seek or just lolling about under a tree listening to the birds, the Orchard has a place for everyone.
By Richard Arkwright, Orchard project worker
To find out more about the Orchard…
