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Since the middle of the twentieth century, there has been an orchard of apple trees on the edge of what is now the Scrase Valley nature reserve. Over the years, different generations from the local community have acted as stewards of the orchard, pruning and tending, picking and sharing the wonderful apples which are a free community resource for all.
Now it is the turn of The New Friends of Scrase Valley Orchard. We are a group of volunteers working to rejuvenate this beautiful orchard and make sure that it thrives for the next eighty years too. We are keen to support projects that relate to the past, present and future of the Scrase Valley Orchard.
When it comes to the past, we are working on a history of the orchard to understand more about who first planted it, who has looked after it over the years, and how it ties into the local heritage. This part of Haywards Heath is of course related to previous generations of communities producing food, as it is not far from the site of Gravelye Farm and the ‘Americas’ colony project founded by William Allen.
In the present, we are keen to understand more about the fantastic different varieties of apples (and pears) which are still growing today. As well as a new map of the orchard, we are undertaking work to get the varieties DNA tested. Not only will this allow us to plan when to pick different apples for eating or cooking, but we will find out which of them are rarer Sussex heritage varieties, and so particularly important to look after.
Finally, our plans for the future are to make this fantastic community resource a centrepiece of the local community, available for all kinds of different activities throughout the year, open to all groups young and old, for Wassails and Nature Walks, picking and picnics.
If you are interested in helping with any of these activities, or wish to donate to support this work, please contact nfosvo@gmail.com
