Celebrating Orchards in Somerset
Orchards are a vital and characteristic feature of the Somerset landscape. Early in the last century most villages were fringed by orchards, these were mainly to produce cider, part of the staple diet of most farm labourers (cider was safer to drink than the water!)
In the last fifty years, more than half the small orchards, around villages and farmsteads in the County have disappeared.
Somerset County Council has taken a number of initiatives to promote orchards and related products over recent years, these include:
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Printed and distributed the Cider & Apple Guide promoting producers in Somerset
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Produced a DVD about Somerset's orchards, promoting apple products
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Promoted Apple Days in various parts of Somerset
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Compiled a list of traditional Somerset apple varieties
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Given grants for replanting of standard orchards to secure their future
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Through Foodlinks, supported the formation of a growers cooperative to explore joint marketing initiatives
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Produced a series of free newsletters keeping growers informed of issues that could help them
For information about obtaining grants for orchard planting look under ‘Somerset Landscape Scheme’ or contact: 01823 355563.
To download a copy of the latest
Somerset Orchard Newsletter
[1647.6k], click on this link.
Past copies can be downloaded from the links below:
Issue 1
[ 198.5k]
Issue 2
[ 305.5k]
Issue 3
[ 279.5k]
Issue 4
[ 349.1k]
Issue 5
[ 199.6k]
Issue 6
[ 187.1k]
Issue 7
[ 242.4k]
Issue 8
[ 156.0k]
Issue 9
[ 191.4k]
Issue 10
[ 206.3k]
Issue 11
[ 224.6k]
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