In the past, traditional orchards often played a central role in village life. Farmers would call in help from all sorts of places at harvest time, enticing workers by offering cider or beer on top of regular payment. In fact, many workers would choose a farm based on the quality of the alcohol. Orchards have played such a pivotal (yet understated) role in the history of the British Isles, and have been apart of our culture for at least the last 2,500 years. They were places for meeting, socialising, and celebrating. In much the same way, modern community orchards are... read more
Now you’re probably asking why a conservation and access firm is making cider. What’s that got to do with conservation or peoples enjoyment of the natural world? That great man Sir David Attenborough once said something along the lines of; ‘In order for people to care about wildlife, first they need to appreciate and value it.’ One thing that most of us relish is a cool glass of cider on a hot summer’s day. That is probably reason enough to look after your apple trees! Orchards are a fabulous habitat for all sorts of species, from mosses and lichens, right up the... read more
