Category Archives: Orchard

WASSAIL BOURNE COMMUNITY ORCHARD 2023

The Friends of Bourne Wood, in conjunction with Bourne Borderers Morris, held their sixth Wassail in the community orchard in Bourne on Saturday.  A Wassail is a traditional custom to celebrate the apple harvest of last year, to reawaken the trees, and to encourage them to bear fruit this year.  It had been a beautiful sunny day, and the evening went really cold, with a sharp frost, but we had a brazier to keep people warm. There was a very good crowd of around 200 who made their way down to the orchard gate, to join in this delightful celebration.  Everyone was welcomed to the event by the Borderers and Friends of Bourne Wood, and offered a taste of either mulled cider or apple juice and some homemade cake, before Bourne Borderers commenced the proceedings with a traditional Morris dance.  More dancing followed before everyone sung the ‘Apple Tree Wassail’.

Large crowd gathered at Wassail
There was a very good crowd of around 200 who made their way down to the orchard gate, to join in this delightful celebration.

The gathering then proceeded into the orchard, led by Alianna, the Wassail Queen, and the Borderers.   The trees in the orchard had been decorated with lots of fairy lights and looked lovely in the dusk, with the path down also lit with tealights.  The trees were blessed with cider, and toast was placed in the branches for the robins, the guardians of the orchard, by anyone wishing to take part, while the musicians continued to play.   The trees were wassailed, with the customary poem, followed by lots of noise, with everyone present banging pots and pans, and cheering!

Wassail Queen in the orchard
The trees in the orchard had been decorated with lots of fairy lights and looked lovely in the dusk!

Once back on the hard-standing the Borderers danced again, and all joined in the ‘Here we come a wassailing’.  The evening ended with a traditional Mummers play – performed by the Borderers.

The Friends would like to thank everyone for supporting this event, and especially Bourne Borderers for their help and support, and all those who provided cakes and helped out on the day.  The Friends of Bourne Wood are always looking for new members, and Bourne Borderers would welcome anyone wishing to join them in their dancing – which they practice on a Wednesday at Edenham Village Hall.

Photographs by Steve Goddard

 

Wassail Bourne Community Orchard 2022

The Friends of Bourne Wood, in conjunction with Bourne Borderers Morris, held their fifth Wassail in the community orchard in Bourne on Saturday.  A Wassail is a traditional custom to celebrate the apple harvest of last year, to reawaken the trees, and to encourage them to bear fruit this year.  The weather forecast was not favourable, but by the time the event was due to start at 4pm the skies had cleared and it remained dry.  A good crowd of around 80 had gathered to join in the celebration – a delightful way to enliven a dull and damp January day.  Everyone was welcomed to the event, andoffered a taste of either mulled cider or apple juice and some homemade cake, before Bourne Borderers commenced the proceedings with a traditional Morris dance.  More dancing followed before everyone sung the ‘Apple Tree Wassail’.

The gathering then proceeded into the orchard, led by Zoe, the Wassail Queen, and the Borderers.   The trees in the orchard had been decorated with lots of fairy lights and looked lovelyin the dusk, with the path down also lit with tealights.  The trees were blessed with cider, and toast was placed in the branches for the robins, the guardians of the orchard, by anyone wishing to take part, while the musicians continued to play.   The trees were wassailed, with the customary poem, followed by lots of noise, with everyone present banging pots and pans, and cheering!

entrance lights
The trees in the orchard had been decorated with lots of fairy lights and looked lovelyin the dusk, with the path down also lit with tealights.

Once back on the hard-standing the Borderers danced again, and all joined in the ‘Here we come a wassailing’.  The evening ended with a traditional Mummers play – performed by the Borderers.

The Friends would like to thank everyone for supporting this event, and especially Bourne Borderers for their help and support, and all those who provided cakes and helped out on the day.  The Friends of Bourne Wood are always looking for new members, and Bourne Borderers would welcome anyone wishing to join them in their dancing – which they practice on a Wednesday at Edenham Village Hall.

Photographs by Steve Goddard

Apple Day 2021

It was a gloriously sunny day for the Friends of Bourne Wood Apple Day, held in the community orchard, off Beech Avenue on Sunday 10th October.

people at apple day
It was a gloriously sunny day for the Friends of Bourne Wood Apple Day,

Of course, the main draw of the day was the apple stall, with lots of varieties of apples on show and to take away for a donation.  Most of our trees have done very well this year, with some pears available too.

sunset apples for sale
Sunset eating apples for sale.

Carrying on the fruit theme, we had an orchard quiz for adults complied by our outgoing chairman, which was quite difficult, but we did have a winner, Chantel and Issac, won a copy of Richard Jefferson’s – ‘Jewels Beyond the Plough’ book.  People could also guess the weight of the bag of apples, and there was an orchard scavenger hunt for children, and a guess my name competition to win a knitted Town Crier, which was won by Susan Halsall.

A few more copies of Richard’s book were available, along with the Bourne Wood booklet and we had an information table about the group and orchard, where people could the group if they wished.

As always, tea and coffee and homemade cake were very popular with the steady stream of visitors, and those attending could sit in the sun and listen to Vaughan Roberts playing his fiddle while enjoying their refreshments.

Last but not least we had a plant stall for some locally grown plants – both the plant stall and apple stall remain in the orchard when open for the time being.

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who worked so hard to make the day a success.

Photographs by Steve Goddard

 

Wassail Bourne Community Orchard 2020

The Friends of Bourne Wood, in conjunction with Bourne Borderers Morris, held their fourth Wassail in the community orchard in Bourne on Saturday.   A Wassail is a traditional custom to celebrate the apple harvest of last year, to reawaken the trees, and to encourage them to bear fruit this year.  The weather was very kind this year, and although windy was not particularly cold.  By  4.30pm a decent crowd of around 100 had gathered to join in the celebration – a delightful way to enliven a dull January day.  Everyone was welcomed to the event, and then Bourne Borderers commenced the proceedings with a traditional Morris dance.  Those attending were then offered a taste of either mulled cider or apple juice and some homemade cake, before everyone sung the ‘Apple Tree Wassail’.

The gathering then proceeded into the orchard, led by the Wassail Queen, aided admirably by the Wassail princess.   The trees in the orchard had been decorated with lots of fairy lights and looked lovely in the dusk, with the path down also lit.  The trees were blessed with cider, and toast was placed in the branches for the robins, the guardians of the orchard, by anyone wishing to take part, while the musicians continued to play.   The trees were wassailed, with the customary poem, followed by lots of noise, with everyone present banging pots and pans, and cheering!

Once back on the hard-standing the Borderers danced again, and all joined in the ‘Here we come a wassailing’.  The evening ended with the Mummers play – performed by the Borderers, and some final pieces of cake and a warm drink.

The Friends would like to thank everyone for supporting this event, and especially Bourne Borderers for their help and support, and all those who provided cakes and helped out on the day.

Apple Day 2019

Our Apple Day was thoroughly enjoyed by those who came, and despite the weather forecast we had very little rain during the event – even if it was very wet underfoot!  We borrowed the apple press from Stamford Community Orchard Group and made our own apple juice.  Great fun was had by all crushing the apples and then pressing them into a delicious healthy juice – which people could take home.

apple press
Great fun was had by all crushing the apples and then pressing them into a delicious healthy juice.

There were plenty of delicious cakes from the homemade cake stall, with teas and coffees to wash them down.

Children had craft activities to try, and a quiz around the orchard, answering apple related questions.  Children and adults could make applejacks out of apples to hang in the trees to ward off evil spirits, and we finally had a winner for our guess the name of the scarecrow – who was called Buck.  There was also a craft stall, a second hand book-stall, and a plant stall. The Bourne Wood booklet was also available.

We had the results of our photographic competition with the entries and winners on display.  The first and second prizes were handed out to Steve Goddard and Martin Barnatt (received on his behalf by his wife), and the third prize winner, Jason Richardson was not there.

a selection of apples and pears
The Friends had picked some fruit from the orchard, both to show people the different types of apples and pears, but also so people could take some away with them for a small donation.

The Friends had picked some fruit from the orchard, both to show people the different types of apples and pears, but also so people could take some away with them for a small donation.  There will be more punnets available for the next few weeks during opening hours in the orchard, on a Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

A huge ‘Thank You’ goes to  all our volunteers who helped set up and look after the stalls on the day.

Photographs by Jayne Blackbourn

Wassail Bourne Community Orchard 2018

The Friends of Bourne Wood held their second Wassail in the community orchard in Bourne on Saturday in conjunction with Bourne Borderers Morris.  A Wassail is a traditional custom to celebrate the apple harvest of last year, to reawaken the trees, and to encourage them to bear fruit this year.  The rain had cleared by the time the event started at 4.30pm and a crowd of around 80 people had gathered to join in the celebration.  Richard Jefferson welcomed everyone to the event, and then Bourne Borderers commenced the proceedings with a traditional Morris dance.  Those attending were then offered a taste of either mulled cider or apple juice and some cake, before everyone sung the ‘Apple Tree Wassail’.

wassail queen leads the parade
The gathering then proceeded into the orchard, led by Emily, the Wassail Queen, the way being lit with lots of candles.

The gathering then proceeded into the orchard, led by Emily, the Wassail Queen, the way being lit with lots of candles.  The trees were blessed with cider, and toast was placed in the branches for the robins, by anyone wishing to take part, while Vaughan Roberts played his violin.   The trees were wassailed, with the customary poem, followed by lots of noise, with everyone present banging pots and pans, and cheering!

Once back on the hard-standing the Borderers danced again, and all joined in the ‘Here we come a wassailing’.  The evening ended with the Mummers play.

bourne borders dance
The Bourne Borderers danced again, and all joined in the ‘Here we come a wassailing’.

The Friends would like to thank everyone for supporting this event, and especially Bourne Borderers for their help and support, and all those who provided cakes and helped out on the day.

Photographs thanks to Steve Goddard.

Orchard Open Day & Friends Birthday Party 2017

The Community Orchard Open Day, organised by the Friends of Bourne Wood, was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by those who came.  There was live music from Bourne Folk Club, who play regularly at the Masons, Bourne and Wishing Well, Dyke.  They played two sets of lively music – a  mix of Irish, Folk, Country and traditional tunes.  People could either sit and listen, or wander and enjoy the ambiance of the orchard – or even dance as some were doing!

bourne folk club
Bourne Folk Club played two sets of lively music – a mix of Irish, Folk, Country and traditional tunes.

At lunch time the committee cut the cake celebrating 20 years of the Friends group, and this was shared amongst the helpers, with any excess supplementing the delicious cakes from the cake stall.  Teas and coffees were available to wash them down.

cutting cake
At lunch time the committee cut the cake celebrating 20 years of the Friends of Bourne Wood.

Children could try their hands at pebble painting or picture colouring, and while waiting for these to dry were able to play some traditional games, which adults also enjoyed. There were also craft stalls and a plant stall.

craft stalls
There were also craft stalls and a plant stall.

The Friends had picked some fruit from the orchard, both to show people the different types of apples and pears, but also so people could take some away with them for a small donation.  The Bourne Wood booklet was available

pond people walking
People wandered and enjoyed the ambiance of the orchard

A huge ‘Thank You’ goes to Dean Hardy and the other musicians for their entertainment and to all our other volunteers who helped set up and look after the stalls on the day.

Photographs Steve Goddard  and Richard Jefferson.

 

Creating A Wildlife Pond

The Friends of Bourne Wood have been in the process of creating a wildlife pond in the Community Orchard for several months.

This has now become a reality thanks to support from Bakkavor with a couple of work parties.  The pond was started in November 2016, after the liner was donated by the Forestry Commission,  but adverse weather stopped play, so finally last week it was completely dug, with the liner fitted and filled with water.

digging-out-the-wildlife-pond
Everyone seemed to have great fun digging the pond! Photograph Tracy London

Everyone seemed to have great fun digging the pond, and it has been great to see it completed and full of water.

There is still plenty to do, with plants still to be inserted, and the area made secure.

Those visiting at the weekends can see the project develop further, and hopefully enjoy the wildlife attracted when completed.  The orchard is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am to 6pm (dusk in winter).  There is a work party every Saturday morning from 10am to 12pm, for general maintenance of the orchard – which anyone is welcome to join.

volunteers-wildlife-pond
The Friends would like to give a huge thank you to Bakkavor, and to all the volunteers! Photograph Tracy London

The Friends would like to give a huge thank you to Bakkavor, and to the individuals – Carla Collick, Tracy London, Anna Moffitt, John Gomez, Nicole London, Richard Thorold, Shannon Hasbury and
Jennie Beasley, and to Cindy and Mick Curtis for managing the project.

Wassail Bourne Community Orchard 2017

The Friends of Bourne Wood held their first Wassail in the community orchard in Bourne on Saturday in conjunction with Bourne Borderers Morris.  A Wassail is a traditional custom to celebrate the apple harvest and reawaken the trees.  The event started at 4.30pm, just as it was becoming dusk with Bourne Borderers dancing.  The crowd that had gathered were then offered a taste of either mulled cider or apple juice and some cake, before everyone sung the ‘Apple Tree Wassail’.

The gathering then proceeded into the orchard, the way being lit with lots of natural lights.  The trees were blessed with cider, and toast was placed in the branches for the robins, by anyone wishing to take part.  The Wassail Queen Emily sang a beautiful solo and the trees were wassailed, followed by lots of noise, with everyone present banging pots and pans, and cheering!

crowd at wassailing ob bourne community orchard
The Wassail Queen Emily sang a beautiful solo and the trees were wassailed, followed by lots of noise, with everyone present banging pots and pans, and cheering! Photographs by Steve Goddard

Once back on the hard-standing the Borderers danced again, Emily sang a further lovely song, and all joined in the ‘Here we come a wassailing’.

“Our Wassail, jolly Wassail, joy come to our jolly Wassail. How well they may bloom, how well they may bear, so we may have apples and cider next year”

“Hat-fulls, cap-fulls, three bushel bag-fulls, little heaps under the stairs. Hip, hip… Hooray!”

The evening ended with the Mummers play, and thanks to all for their attendance and help.

The Friends would like to especially thank Bourne Borderers for their help and support with this new event.