Devon has lost most of its traditional orchards of large ‘standard’ trees - valuable because of their beauty, history, wildlife and rich variety of local apples. Since 1991 orchard enthusiasts in the northern half of Devon ("Save Our Orchards" became "Orchards Live" in 2002) have been reversing this decline with real achievements:
- Running training events on all aspects of orchard restoration, establishment, management and fruit production.
- Establishing Annual Apple Day at Rosemoor (with RHS) and Apple Fair at South Molton.
- Organising informal walks, social events and networking opportunities.
- Locating old fruit varieties for propagation as well as listing and photographing them.
- Working with people of Landkey to establish first new Mazzard Green for a century.
- Establishing a Demonstration Orchard with a local landowner.
- Acquiring cider and juice making kit and other equipment for members to use.
- Our members pay a modest annual subscription.
Orchards Live's current activities are:
- Courses, talks and visits so that in a two year cycle all aspects of ‘standard’ orchard management are covered.
- Attendance at promotional events with demonstrations of cider and juice making.
- Acquisition of equipment for members to use.
- In different ways ensuring that orchard products find markets and are used well.
- Working with other bodies in the region to encourage interest in establishing orchards.
- Apple identification, DNA testing and registering unique local apples.
