CBeebies
comes to No Man’s Orchard
No Man’s Orchard outside the village
of Chartham Hatch
is set to have a staring role this autumn as it was chosen as a location
to the CBeebies, Autumn Song, which will be shown continuously between
programmes on the children’s television channel.
The orchard, which is owned by Chartham & Harbledown Parish Councils
and managed by the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, is a fine
example of a traditional Kentish orchard. Carol Donaldson, Countryside
Officer for KSCP said “The BBC were looking for a location which
typified autumn and harvest festivals and fell in love with the
magnificent old apple trees of the orchard, which this year are laden with
a fine crop of bramley apples.
The 5 minute TV slot shows children and CBeebies presenters collecting
apples and enjoying an autumn picnic among the trees. It will be shown
repeatedly on the channel throughout the coming months and can also be
seen on the CBeebies website.
“Traditional orchards, such as No Man’s are becoming increasingly rare
in the Kentish countryside,” said Carol. “They support a host of
specialist wildlife from rare lichens to woodpeckers and tawny owls.”
The Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership manages the orchard with local
volunteers and produces a free guide to the wildlife and history of the
site. The orchard trees are also available to sponsor for an annual fee.
For more information and to obtain a free guide please contact Carol
Donaldson on 01233 813307 or e-mail carol.donaldson@kent.gov.uk
