Release date: 22 January 2003
Local Nature Reserve designation for
orchard
Saturday 25th January will
see the launch of ‘No Man’s Orchard’ as a Local Nature Reserve –
the first orchard in Kent to be designated as such. Local people and those
who have an involvement in designating or managing the orchard will plant
‘traditional’ apple trees to celebrate its designation.
Canterbury City Council has designated
the orchard as a Local Nature Reserve in recognition of its value for
wildlife and to encourage its educational use. The orchard is jointly
owned by Harbledown and Chartham Parish Councils and managed with the
assistance of the Kentish Stour Countryside Project.
The orchard consists of eight acres of
large spreading Bramley apple trees and two acres of cider apple
varieties. Traditional orchards with old fruit trees are rapidly
disappearing in Kent as they cannot compete with new commercial orchards,
but nonetheless they provide important habitats for all sorts of wildlife.
No Man’s Orchard has over 30 species of moss and lichen, and in summer
provides nesting holes for birds such as woodpeckers and wrens, and during
blossom and fruiting times butterflies and moths feed on nectar and
rotting fruit. The orchard is visually appealing as the trees change with
the season, from a wealth of blossom in spring to laden with fruit in the
autumn.
Councillor Nick Eden-Green says "As
a long time supporter of the Kentish Stour Countryside Project and as the
relevant Canterbury City Council portfolio holder, I am delighted that we
have another first in the Canterbury district. It is
absolutely correct that we should designate this magnificent traditional
orchard as the first orchard in the country to be a local nature reserve.
It is a celebration of Kent’s rightful place as the
Orchard of England. Well done Kentish Stour".
The LNR is being managed with help from
a grant from ‘Wildspace!’ a New Opportunities Fund scheme administered
by English Nature.
