RHS celebrate Herefordshire a€™s Year of The Orchard

Hereford Orchard

Herefordshire’s orchards have been a way of life for over two centuries. At the forefront of Britain’s orchard horticulture, they are an intrinsic part of the counties treasured past, landscape and community.


Herefordshire’s orchards have been a way of life for over two centuries. At the forefront of Britain’s orchard horticulture, they are an intrinsic part of the counties treasured past, landscape and community. To promote this heritage, RHS have created a new award to mark Herefordshire’s ‘Year of the Orchard’. With 12,000+ hectares of both traditional and bush orchards, Herefordshire has more orchards than any other county in Britain. No wonder it is known as the “County of Orchards”!

This first RHS Pomona Award will recognise and reward the achievements of both the commercial bush growers and, more significantly, the traditional orchard growers across Herefordshire. To commemorate this special occasion, various events and activities are taking place to celebrate the wonders of the orchard throughout 2011.

Herefordshire’s orchards are a magical place to visit. Experience the dappled light from trees, the peaceful rushing of leaves and the smell of freshly cropped fruit. Normally inaccessible orchards and estates are becoming accessible to the wider public. From walks and talks, family picnics and blossom festivals to sampling cherries in July and tasting the first apples and pears in September; Herefordshire won’t disappoint with varied orchard related activities. Why not attend one of the many arts and crafts workshops or even learn how to bud your own apple tree!  Towards October, the season’s activities culminate in the much-loved celebrations of the apple harvest fairs and cider festivals.

Nature lovers can take a walk around an orchard and discover some of the wildlife that thrive in these surroundings. Over 150 different species are found in Herefordshire’s beautiful orchards, thrushes can be heard singing at dawn and the flutter of bat wings at dusk.

 

The start of summer is upon us, and what better way to celebrate this time of year than visiting some of the best orchards Britain has to offer.

 

For more information about Herefordshire’s ‘Year of the Orchard’ or to see a
detailed list of events and activities visit www.yearintheorchard.org