The Orchards Live newsletter is issued three times a year to members. As well as describing current activities and events, the newsletter contains features on orchard management, fruit varieties and related issues.
ORCHARDS LIVE, Annual Report 08/09
Report to Annual Gathering from Michael Gee, Chairman
Last year I reported at length on a remarkably good year, with record membership (approaching 250), our busiest-ever programme (15 events), three newsletters and a website, new brochures and promotional banners, acquisition of apple mill and press, and sound finances. This was possible because of a growing number of partners and a growing Committee; I appealed for additional help and there was a good, if not overwhelming, response.
This year our membership has grown, (but we have not quite crossed the 250 threshold), our programme has listed a huge 20 events (starting with two lectures by Dr Barrie Juniper at RHS, and you can’t get much more prestigious than that!), our Newsletter has just undergone a facelift which has been well-received and the web-site will follow shortly, we have acquired two pasteurisers, a second apple mill and a pole-saw, and our finances remain sound, (over £3,600 in the bank), despite incredibly cheap subscription rates and course fees in comparison with comparable bodies.
We have continued to work with other organisations, and I would like to record our thanks to the Exmoor National Park, National Trust, North Devon District Council, Royal Horticultural Society (both Rosemoor and SW Fruit Group) and the South Molton Community Woodland Group.
Our Committee has been joined by Geoffrey Brown (rejoining after a time in New Zealand), Jane Horne, Tom Hynes and Andrew Sinclair. Geoffrey is hoping to help members wanting to improve their juice and cider making. Jane is working to co-ordinate events and helpers. Tom provides a valuable link with the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service and their work on the Biodiversity Action Plan, and Andrew speaks up for ‘greater Exmoor’ when we plan events. The Committee has worked hard, and I should like to thank them and all the members who have helped in different ways.
Our main disappointment of the year has been our initiative to expand our programme on Exmoor and its fringes. Despite enthusiastic responses to a trial course and consultative meetings we found that all four requested events were under-subscribed. There was a more positive response to our acquisition of a second apple mill. We plan a meeting to discuss the consequences.
While most of our courses have been full we have not had anything like the same numbers on our free ‘informal’ orchard walks. Why is this? These events were requested in our members’ survey a few years ago, and those who come express real satisfaction. As it grows up, with its first limited harvest this year, the Demonstration Orchard at Venn, Landkey, is becoming a really useful resource, and its owner is encouraging us to use it: any suggestions? We experimented with a ‘no booking’ weekday evening meeting in Hatherleigh this month, and were pleased with the turn-out. Would members welcome other such occasions?
Finally, three things have happened over the last year which will influence the year to come. First, the success of our system of loaning equipment to members has encouraged us to consider even bigger items, and we are looking into the possibility of acquiring an apple harvester. Second, the launch by the Common Players of the web-site devon-apples.co.uk has seen the realisation of a long-held ambition which we called Devon Pomona. We are having constructive discussions and hope that by the Autumn we may be responsible for the development of this precious site. Third, following the attendance of a Committee member at an important national conference at Sheffield in September, we have been reminded of the dangers of isolationism, and we will be making efforts to meet with other regional groups to strengthen the cause of orchard conservation in the South West and nationwide.
Michael Gee.
27th March 2009