Gloucestershire Orchard Group

Orchard protection in the planning system – advice leaflet and test cases

• Tree Evaluation Method for Preservation Orders - Tree evaluation forms and test case
• Planning issues leaflet (Revised April 2011)
• Brockworth Orchard TPO application
• Perry Pear Orchard saved from development
• Orchard protected from development in Wiltshire (New)
• Remnant Orchard in Norfolk saved by Planning Inspectorate (New)

Yellow Huffcap Perry Pear in Blossom at the GOG Orchard and Rural Skills Centre, Brookthorpe. Photo by Dave Kaspar/Helen Brent-Smith http://www.dayscottage.co.uk

Hartpury Perry Pear Orchard Centre - an Orchard in Springtime Saturday 19th MAY 2012 11am – 4.30pm
at HARTPURY HERITAGE TRUST
http://www.tasteandexplore.com (for directions)
AN ORCHARD in SPRINGTIME
at
HARTPURY ORCHARD CENTRE
BLACKWELL’S END HARTPURY
HOME OF THE NATIONAL COLLECTION OF PERRY PEARS

Admission £2 Children under 16 free
A COUNTRY FESTIVAL for ALL the FAMILY
orchard walks – sculpture trail
come and see the wildlife
on the ponds – beekeepers – woodland crafts
rare breed animals
quizzes and activities for children
local foods – perry and cider
countryside stalls and stands including:
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
EXPLORE the WILDLIFE WETLAND
Local Gloucester Old Spot hot dogs and burgers
Coffees. Orchard Teas. Ploughmans


Blossom Day for Gloucestershire Orchard Group/Trust members ONLY takes place each year at the GOG Orchard & Rural Skills Centre in Brookthorpe (NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC). Why not join GOG/GOT and then you will be invited to both Blossom Day AND a Communal Juicing Apple Day in the autumn! Go to Membership page for more information on the benefits of joining and a printable membership form etc.

Hayles Fruit Farm near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire is also worth a visit in springtime for the blossom. 01242 602123

The Herefordshire Big Apple Association holds the Blossomtime festival, a unique blend of activities in and around orchards, which should be in full blossom, combined with traditional cider and perry tasting. Sunday 6 and Monday 7 May 2012. Just over the Gloucestershire border from the Dymock area at Marcle Ridge. http://www.bigapple.org.uk

Worcestershire Blossom Trail – Vale of Evesham: by Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore WR10 1PT 01386 565373 http://www.blossom-trail.org.uk
Booklet available (can download or telephone). Trail open for over 25 years. Plum & apple blossom. Walking & cycle trails, coach tours, farm shops selling produce. Wide range of family entertainment and local businesses involved. Come and visit each spring! It is not too late to see blossom, even though tours may be over for this year.

For the latest information on Orchard Surveys in Gloucestershire, England (and soon, Wales), see our new Orchard Survey page, which includes the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species traditional orchard inventory online plus a new link to traditional orchards on Google Maps. http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup. ... d-surveys/

Training courses at the GOG Orchard & Rural Skills Centre, Brookthorpe, Gloucester http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=257

Details of our forthcoming AGM http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=255

Charles Martell's new online book of Gloucestershire Perry Pears for 2012

Download Pears of Gloucestershire

For Wassailing contacts, events and customs, see http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup. ... assailing/
And see the Community Events listing on the Community page
Upload your own 2012 wassail event on the Community page!

Full listing on Community Page (Community Events)!

These Taste Test results should assist in helping you decide which Gloucestershire apple trees to buy. You can also taste heritage apples at some Apple Day events and particularly at Stroud Farmers Market (first 3 Saturdays of the month) and Bristol Farmers Markets (every Wednesday) where Days Cottage/GOG Chairman Dave Kaspar is selling. GOG members also get invited to their very own Apple Day for tastings (tempted? see Membership page for joining GOG!)
Want to buy Gloucestershire fruit trees? Look no further than our extensive Nursery list on the Directories page here!
Thanks to our Juliet Bailey for compiling the Taste Test results.