We are delighted to share news of a grant awarded to us from The National Lottery Community Fund!
A HUGE thank you to The National Lottery for recognising the work we do to support communities to create, maintain & celebrate community orchards.
This grant will allow us to empower local residents to guide the care & development of local community orchards, providing resources, equipment & training to support orchard groups and responding to feedback from volunteers, park users, local residents and the local Council.
New apple pressing equipment will help us on our mission to ensure that apples grown in Cornwall are put to good use rather than wasted, as part of our commitment to promoting food security, sustainability and community action. Additional edible & wildlife attracting shrubs will bring diversity, protecting soils, boosting tree health & expanding harvests for all.
Approximately 75% of traditional orchards have been lost across the South West since the 1900s, along with wildlife that depend upon it. Our project will help the environment by restoring orchard habitat along with the skills to manage it, by people that live closest. In addition to being connected with nature, local people will be helping to develop a local food supply and a sustainable, resilient community, boosting positivity about the future. People will gain opportunities to get involved in positive action to tackle climate change, giving them agency to improve local green spaces.
This grant will:
support us to deliver community apple pressing sessions PLUS provide some new apple pressing equipment
allow community orchard groups to add edible, wildlife attracting & mineral accumulating shrubs alongside recently planted fruit trees
provide First Aid training for regular volunteers & freelancers
support us to train more people in orchard skills & empower local residents in Redruth & Truro to collaborate with one another to create and make full use of diverse orchards for all.
// Want to to get involved? //
Join an orchard organising whatsapp group in Redruth or via the Redruth email list, or get in touch by email or phone.
// Want to get updates? //
Please watch this space or join our email list: by sending a request to resilientorchardscornwall@gmail.com
The National Lottery Community Fund
