The Croft School Orchard...

On Wednesday, 22nd February the children of The Croft School, Painswick will be planting seven apple trees, for each of the seven year groups at the school and creating a brand new orchard in Painswick.

Over the years the children will watch their orchard grow, pick the apples and press them to make apple juice. The creation of a new orchard will also encourage wildlife such as the lesser spotted woodpecker, noble chafer beetle and mistletoe to visit the school grounds, and help reverse the decline of traditional orchards in Gloucestershire.

"Orchards have declined by 67% in Gloucestershire over the past 30 years!"

State of the Natural Environment Report 2011 

The trees the children will be planting are local varieties;

Ampney Red

A dessert apple from Ampney Crucis, it was recorded as a common variety in 1939 but now it is thought only one old tree survives in the village

Lodgemore Nonpareil

Raised by Mr Cook of Lodgemore, Stroud and introduced by Mr Clissold, a nurseryman who subsequently rented the garden where it had been started.  He propagated and sold it under the name of ‘Clissold’s Seedling’ A pleasant dessert apple, first grown in 1808

Puckrup Pippin

A dessert variety with a juicy, super acid drop flavour from Puckrup, near Tewkesbury

Rheads Reinette

A really nice dessert apple. Raised from seed by William Rhead (1852-1955) at either Elton Farm, Elton or Peglars Farm, Flaxley

Siddington Russet 

First discovered in 1923, grown and sold by John Jefferies & Sons nurseries in Siddington near Cirencester

Once the children plant the trees they will be wassail them to encourage their strong and quick growth. The orchard creation has been funded by the Friends of the Croft School with the help from Painswick Orchard Group.