Volunteering at Orchard Barn Environmental Education Centre, Ringshall, Suffolk

Volunteering at Orchard Barn

Since Sarah purchased the barn in February, OBee's main focus has been one of clearing around and 'finding' the outside of the buildings. A big thank-you to friends and family who have chomped away at many years growth of brambles and many miles of ivy.

Working parties are being organised approximately twice a month at weekends. We hope to start two new projects. Firstly, the restoration of the old pond. This will need clearing round to let the light in. Ideally, we will do as much as possible using human energy instead of fossil fueled machines. This will necessitate more stomping and chomping of compost and more opportunities to sing Andi's Celebration Stomp! The larger trees need coppicing, which will require the expertise of a tree surgeon. Then we will be getting a contractor in to de-silt the pond. What treasures will we find in the depths of the pond?

The second project will be the restoration of the old orchard trees. It's a delicate balance - clearing enough to let the light in, whilst not disturbing the wonderful lichens and mosses that have colonised the fallen wood. We plan to open it up enough, yet not sanitize it. Working as much as possible with just hand tools enables us to work slowly and not make too much of a clearance too quickly! It also helps us become more aware of the ground we are uncovering and what is there.

We'd also appreciate your help with mulching a strip prior to planting a new edible hedge (winter 08/09), collecting seed and establishing a tree nursery, reconstructing the flint and cob walls (2009), identifying flora and fauna, keeping records of what's there and more ... email sarah for more information

What we did on Saturday 25th August and Sunday 26th August 2007.

If you are thinking of volunteering at Orchard Barn, you will find it useful to read our guidelines for working there.

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