Page 16 - HGS Suburb News 150 - Summer 2022

Putting the

S U B U R B
Community into

Henrietta Community

Orchard
RA

MARIA SCHLATTER, FRIENDS OF HENRIETTA COMMUNITY ORCHARD

mall traditional orchards used to be a common feature of
cities as well as the countryside, and community groups are
S increasingly rediscovering the beauty and benefit of these
wonderful neighbourhood assets. So it was, in late March this year, that
a group of engaged Hampstead Garden Suburb residents came together
to create a new urban community orchard in Lyttelton Playing Fields.
About thirty Friends of Henrietta Community Orchard of all ages,
and Councillor Rohit Grover, planted the first set of trees in the new
community orchard near Bishopswood Bowls Club on a sunny Sunday
morning. It was a wonderfully communal and cooperative event, with
everyone having fun and working like clockwork. The winter rains had
stopped but the ground was still soft – ridiculously muddy in places –
and digging holes for the supporting tree cage posts was an effort but
not quite as daunting as anticipated. We managed to complete the
different stages of tree planting within a couple of hours, leaving
enough time for a social tea break.
REVIEW
This orchard is a wonderful initiative to help reverse the decline of
our natural cultural landscapes. According to a 24th March Guardian
article, orchards used to be a defining feature of neighbourhoods, part
Photos: Michael Eleftheriades of the fabric of everyday life. A recent National Trust study reported
that 80% of small traditional orchards in this country have been lost
over the past century. Tom Dommett, the head of historic environment
at the National Trust said: “Their loss affects local culture, how we all
experience landscapes. The loss of traditional orchards is also nature’s
loss; these orchards can be great places for wildlife like flies and bees,
with the gnarled trunks and branches creating the perfect home for
rare species.”
The aim is also to inspire local gardeners and ensure the continued
availability of traditional fruit varieties that grow well in an urban
setting and are no longer easily available in shops. Many of them have
a special connection to the original fruit trees donated by Henrietta
Barnett to HGS householders.
The orchard layout mainly follows a traditional pattern with spaced
out trees, plus two rows of fan and espalier trees that will make access
easier for children.
It was quite tough choosing the appropriate fruit varieties as there
are thousands of amazing cultivars available in this country. Several
people have asked what we have planted, and most of the trees are
apples, by far the most diverse cultivated fruit species: Core Blimey,
Adam’s Pearmain, Chiver’s Delight, Gascoyne’s Scarlet, Golden Noble,
Tydeman’s Early Worcester, Pitmaston Pineapple, Merton Russet,
Charles Ross, Ellison’s Orange, Peasgood Nonsuch. The pear varieties
are Robin and Concorde, the plums are Marjorie’s Seedling, Czar and
Victoria, and there will also be a Vranja quince and a Nottingham
medlar gracing the front of the orchard.
If you want to join the Friends of Henrietta Community Orchard or
just be kept updated, please email fruitorchard@hgsra.uk.

We are very happy to come out to meet
you and your relatives to discuss our
services.
Please call us at any time for more
information about how we can help you.
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