Successful Scrumping
As part of South Gloucestershire Council’s Local Food & Drink Festival, Oldbury Power Station was opened up its rare cider apple orchard to the Scrumping Project.
A group of 25 people gathered at the site to pick apples for processing into apple juice and cider.
The day started off with a welcome from the organiser, Neil Phillips, and Matthew Castle from Oldbury Power Station’s Environment Team.
Cider orchards have become increasingly rare in the South West, but Oldbury’s orchard contains varieties such as Lambrook Pippin, Bulmers Norman, Tremlett Bitter and White Close Pippin.
Significant work has been undertaken in the orchard in the past three years to ensure the area and trees remain useable and provide an excellent habitat for wildlife, including the establishment of three beehives to help with pollination. Traditional orchards are a priority habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Neil Phillips, organiser of the Scrumping Project said: “It’s great to see so many people getting involved and enjoying the beautiful Oldbury Power Station orchard.
“The trees were full with apples - apples which may ordinarily go to waste. The fruit will be pressed at a community event at Grimsbury Farm, Kingswood.
“A big thanks to Oldbury Power Station and all the scrumpers that came along.”
Photo courtesy of Neil Phillips - © www.neilphillipsphotography.co.uk
