Out & About Spring 2019

JONE AYRES of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust says the wassail that takes place at the Community Orchard in Thatcham is an important tradition Shout out for the orchard LEISURE – OUTDOORS

F or most people, a nature reserve conjures up an image of calm and tranquility, a chance to commune with nature and be at peace with the world. And in general, that is what we aim for at the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) – by looking after natural spaces where visitors can have the privilege of witnessing wildlife in its natural environment. Once a year in January, however, at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham, we positively encourage rowdy and disorderly behaviour at the Wassail event. This is all in a good cause, to celebrate the Community Orchard at the start of the year and encourage a good crop of fruit in the year’s harvest. Wassail events (from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Waes Hael’ which means ‘Be Well’) traditionally took place in cider- producing regions of England. Villagers would visit their orchards in early January, armed with musical The resulting cacophony was to wake the tree spirit, frighten away any evil spirits and encourage a good harvest that year. This year’s Wassail at Thatcham was led by the Kennet Morris men and the Mayor of Thatcham. An apple tree was given a drink of cider to remind it of its duties and toast was hung from its branches to nourish it. More than a hundred local families attended, drank mulled cider, sang to ensure that the tree spirit was well and truly roused from his slumbers. Tucked away as it is in a corner of instruments or pots and pans – anything to make a loud noise.

the Nature Discovery Centre, you may not even have been aware of the Community Orchard’s existence. Yet the orchard was planted back in 2013 by local community groups and volunteers and 20 young fruit trees, all local heritage varieties, have been thriving ever since, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Orchard volunteer group. The orchard has become the reserve’s hub for folk traditions. As well as the annual Wassail, the Friends of the Orchard hold other seasonal celebrations including a summer solstice picnic and the popular Apple Day in the autumn when rural crafts and traditional village fete attractions abound. The Thatcham Community Orchard has been planned and created with wildlife as well as humans in mind. Orchards, particularly those that are traditionally managed, are important sanctuaries for wildlife. The fruit trees and the hedge that surrounds the orchard, which was planted with native species, provide food and shelter for mammals and birds. Pollinating insects, vital to the fruit trees’ health and productivity, find rich nectar sources in the wild flowers of the grass as well as the native hedge species such as hawthorn, guelder rose and elderflower. The Friends of Thatcham Community Orchard have a volunteer work party every month, carrying out practical tasks in the orchard. If you are interested in taking part, contact the Nature Discovery Centre (01635) 874381 for more details or just come along to the next one.

Dates for your diary: Orchard work party: Saturday 9 March, 10am-12pm Summer Solstice picnic: Friday 21 June, 10am-12pm Apple Day: Sunday 13 October, 11am-3pm.

Details of all BBOWT events on www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on BBOWT Facebook handle is @bbowildlifetrust and Twitter is @bbowt

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