Launch event for adventa's orchard mapping project

People who own any fruit or nut trees in Monmouthshire are invited to take part in an evening of talks and networking session about a local orchard mapping project.

The launch event and mapping project is being organised by adventa, Monmouthshire's Rural Development Programme. It will take place on Wednesday 11th March from 6-15pm at The Drill Hall, Lower Church Street, Chepstow.

This event aims to bring together school or community groups with fruit trees and people who own an orchard or single veteran fruit tree in Monmouthshire to hear about adventa's plans to record the location of these important orchard habitats.

This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 - 2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union.

Erica Sheppard, adventa's woodland revival officer said,

"Much work has been done UK wide to record and protect our orchard heritage and this mapping project in Monmouthshire will add our information to a growing interest in orchards and fruit trees.

"At one time Monmouthshire had a rich diversity of orchards and we are hoping that this project will help record an exciting picture of existing information as well as to develop our historic orchard knowledge."

The Welsh Perry and Cider Society have already undertaken a lot of work over a number of years to record Monmouthshire's orchards and adventa are working closely with them on this mapping project.

The launch event will consist of an introduction by adventa about their orchard mapping project and talks by members of the Welsh Perry and Cider Society about local fruit varieties. This will be followed by an update on the fruit tree planting work going on in Chepstow, by Councillor Ned Heywood.

An orchard themed buffet will be provide for participants which will be followed by a networking session where we will aim to gather information about local orchards, single veteran fruit trees, their location and the varieties of fruit in the county.

Once the information has been gathered the project will go on to develop educational trails and events linked to our local orchard heritage and to train young people in fruit identification.

Admission to this event is by ticket only and these are available free from Erica Sheppard at adventa please telephone 01873 736038.  Places are limited so please book early.

The launch event for adventa's orchard mapping project will be held on Wednesday 11th March, 6-15pm at The Drill Hall, Lower Church Street, Chepstow, NP15 5HJ.