Community Orchard | LittleShelfordOnline

Little Shelford Community Orchard and Woodland Project (SCOWP) update Spring 2026

The project has come a long way since its initiation back in the autumn of 2019, at the suggestion of the PC and led by David Martin, Andrew Hawthorne and David Jones. A committee of volunteers was established comprising Neil Ruffles, Collette Patterson, Gill Davidson, Richard Sainson and Julie and Mike Darsley. Initial kind donations from several local residents and a grant from S Cambs ‘three free trees’ scheme enabled the first trees to be planted in March 2020.

Since then, a number of additional grants have been successfully obtained which, together with private donations,have enabled the planting of over 40 more trees, restoration of the boundary hedge on the eastern side by traditional laying techniques, siting of three benches and the establishment of a wildflower meadow.

The initial group of volunteers has also increased, with new members Bill and George Davidson, Chris Christadoulou, Piers Reilly, James Towers, Simon King, … …

We have completed the majority of the tree planting, with plans for a small number of new trees this winter (delayed from last by supply issues) and so the focus of on-going work is support of the existing trees by watering during dry periods, keeping the footpaths clear and cutting back the open meadow areas at the end of the summer.

The biggest improvement to the space in the last couple of years was the opening up of the second meadow on the eastern side of the central path and creation of the wildflowerarea in the centre. This was enabled by a grant from Cambs Water Pebble Fund. The existing rough grasses were ploughed in early in spring 2024 and when new shoots appeared these were treated with herbicide to suppress regrowth. A 28 species wildflower mix was then sowed which produced a succession of colours through the spring and summer. At the end of the season, when the plants had set seed, the area was cut using hand scythes and the straw allowed to lay for a period and then transferred to the meadow on the other side of the path. This began the establishment of flower patches in the latter area.

In 2025 the regrowth of flowers was dominated by a few species with less diversity, presumably due to the very dry conditions occurring around the time when germination was expected. Again, the cut material at the end of the season was transferred across to the other meadow. Hopefully this year we will see the re-emergence of some additional species including the perennial plants which take time to establish. We are already seeing encouraging signs of a few yellow rattle plants spreading across the meadow.

It is very gratifying that the Orchard is walked by so many people, and dogs! Talking to villagers at the Safari Supper the feedback was very positive, yet there are still some people who haven't yet made it up Garden Fields - please do visit, Spring is a particularly lovely time of year.

Posted May 28 2026

The Little Shelford Community Orchard and Woodland Project (SCOWP) story so far

Little Shelford Parish Council suggested in 2019 that part of Blennie's Patch next to the allotments be used for a community project to promote a greener Little Shelford and encourage children to be more aware of their environment, whilst developing an under-used Village resource.

We initially planted three rowan, three silver birch and ten apple trees of various varieties as well as new hedges and a copse area of mixed oak, hawthorn, hornbeam and others. Great and Little Shelford 'Forest School' helped to plant part of the copse.

The centre of the plot is being developed as a grass meadow to encourage wild flowers and a diverse ecosystem, with log piles and bird and bat boxes in the surrounds.

In the 2021/2022 winter season we planted a number of additional fruit trees, expanded the hedgerows and added a number of sizeable standard native trees (funded by the DEFRA UTCF scheme).

We welcome new volunteers in the ongoing development of the area: watering trees, haymaking, logging wildlife sightings etc.

The project is managed by a sub-committee of the Parish Council.

Timeline of Progress

• Sept '19: Little Shelford Parish Council approves Project

• Mar '20: Three Rowan Trees Planted

• Sep '20: First Hay Cut by village scythers

• Sept '20: Grants approved Zero Carbon, Tree Council

• Oct '20: Grant approved Woodland Trust

• Nov '20: Village Fundraising

• Dec '20: Hedging, Copse and 9 Apple trees planted

• Jan '21: Blenheim Orange planted in memory of Blennie

• Jan '21: 3 Silver Birches planted

• Dec '21: 7 standard trees and 6 fruit trees planted

Blennie's Patch

"Blennie's Patch", where the allotments and the SCOWP Orchard can be found, is named after Edward Blennerhassett Powell. Blennie was one of the last direct descendants of the Wale family to live in the Village, his Grandfather, Colonel R.G. Wale having built Shelford Hall in 1850.

Norah Cecil Wale Powell (Blennie's Sister), who lived all her life in Little Shelford, gave seven acres of land to the south of the Hall site to the Parish Council; you will know this as the Wale Recreation Ground. On Norah's death in 1975, the remainder of the estate passed to Blennie.

In 1980 he afforded the Parish very favourable terms for the acquisition of the land at the end of Garden Fields. The land was appropriately dubbed "Blennie's Patch" in grateful acknowledgement.

Contact Information: SCOWP can be contacted via Mike Darsley (mdgb59@gmail.com)

A map of the expanding community orchard.

The Community Orchard was formerly opened on June 2 2022 by Deputy Lieutenant Caroline Bewes accompanies by SCOWP Chairman Mike Darsley. Caroline planted a Jubilee Green canopy tree at the event as part of the village Jubilee celebrations.

SCOWP held the official opening of the Orchard and Woodland Project on Blennie’s Patch to coincide with the first day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Many thanks to the Little Shelford community for such a fantastic turnout.

SCOWP Chairman, Mike Darsley gave an overview on the project and then introduced Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire,and local resident, Caroline Bewes, to officially open the orchard with the planting of a small leafed lime tree and unveil the Queen's Green Canopy Plaque. There was then a children's treasure hunt, which was very successful with over 35 children taking part; many thanks to Katie Hatton (Beavers co ordinator) for her crucial help.

We hope that most of you have had a chance to enjoy the developing orchard by now and we look forward to enhancing the appearance of the area with the planting of additional trees and improvement of the central meadow, with more community events to look forward to!

Julie Darsley

Updated June 30 2022