Orchards

The Background The area around the towns of Evesham and Pershore were once filled with plum orchards, flood meadows and market gardens. Very few orchards or meadows now remain. Those that do remain are run intensively; not only are these not as pleasing to the eye, but they're not as attractive to wildlife, either. This is where the Vale Landscape Heritage Trust (VLHT) comes in: to protect what there is left; to raise the profile of these habitats on a local and national level; and to inform the public about the importance saving these pieces of land. The Vale of Evesham is one of the most beautiful parts of England. The variety in its landscape and wildlife is dramatic; from the banks of the Avon up to the hills of Bredon and the Cotswolds, from the otter to the Noble Chafer (a type of rare beetle), from flood meadows to traditional orchards. But all this is threatened. The Vale Landscape Heritage Trust was set up in 1999 precisely to save the rapidly diminishing pockets of traditional Vale countryside that are left. Thanks to the hard work of the Volunteers and Trustees, the Trust now owns 6 pieces of land dotted about the Vale and manages one site under the Evesham Custom, amounting to 120 acres under its care. Meadows and orchards, woods and orchids, all are saved for future generations to have the pleasure of gazing up at them, smelling them, feeling them.It hasn't been easy to get this far, though. Some projects have started, then collapsed after much effort. The kindness of benefactors, whether it be local land owners giving a piece of woodland, or a successful company donating a sum of money to purchase a piece of meadow land, or a volunteer coming out with us once a month, has made the Trust what it is today, and given it the platform to keep doing more things for more wildlife for more people.  Hampton Community Orchard Also known as Peewit Orchard. A plum orchard with mainly Yellow Egg and Victorias, and some Czar, Purple, Prolific, Monarch and one Black Prince. It is planted within an old and very wide ridge and furrow, trees planted at 5 x 5 yards. Along Peewit Road, where the orchard is, are many market garden, once a very common site around the Vale. There are many other orchards down in this area, and most of them are known to be home to the rare beetle, the Noble Chafer.Spotted and Bee orchids are known to be there. Slopes to the East. A wildlife hedge has been planted within the 9^th row, on the south side. 

It is leased by VLHT under the Evesham Custom. This is a system of transferring tenant’s rights on leased land. The tenant leaving the land has the right to nominate their successor. The new tenant pays the outgoing tenant a premium to cover the costs incurred by them – things like trees, or other perennial crops. The landlord is informed of the change, and if they want to take the land back, they would have to pay the premium.

For more information click the heritage link: