Spring Blossom Picnic in the Orchard

 Not long to go now. Fingers crossed for good weather.

Entry if free and cash donations are welcome towards the restoration of the Orchard.

Please note there are no facilities or parking at the Orchard. There is free on road parking on Church Road and High Street. Also Parking behind the Post Office and near The Village Centre.

Spring Blossom Picnic in the Orchard

Spring Blossom Picnic in the Orchard

Saturday 27th April 2024 12 pm – 2 pm

Bring your family and your favourite picnic food and join Greening Chinnor at the Spring Blossom Picnic at Donkey Lane Community Orchard.

Lay your picnic blanket or chair under the spreading branches of the old apple and plum trees. Enjoy a lazy outdoor lunch under the blossom; celebrate Spring and connect to nature. Bring a book, chat with friends, sketch the scenery, join in the children’s activities and find out more about the Orchard with guided tours given by our amazing volunteers.

It's free to come along, donations towards the restoration and upkeep of the Orchard are welcome (cash only please). And don’t forget to bring a picnic!

Gate open 12 pm, guided tour 1 pm.

To find the Orchard, head up Keen's Lane, Chinnor, OX39 4PF, cross the railway crossing and the Orchard is directly on the right.

Please note there are no facilities or parking at the Orchard. There is free on road parking on Church Road and High Street. Also Parking behind the Post Office and near The Village Centre.

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February Archaeology Dig at the Orchard

Would you like to help open a ‘window on the past’?

Would you like to find out how an excavation is carried out?

Following on from our successful digs with South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group we will again be digging more test pits at Donkey Lane Community Orchard.

Last year we were exited to find possible traces of one of the cottages. What are we going to find this year?

This is an opportunity for you, your friends, family and neighbours to help us find out more about the people and history of the Orchard site.

All volunteers will be guided through each stage so everyone can learn how an excavation is carried out.

Even if you don’t dig, there are other essential roles that can be done whilst sitting and/or in short bursts and without getting too dirty! Anyone can join in; children are most welcome (accompanied by a parent or guardian). You can join us for the whole weekend or just an hour or two.

The test pits will be excavated over 2 days Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February 10 am – 3:30 pm.

Numbers are limited so if you are interested in joining us, please email Linda at greeningchinnor@gmail.com.

To find the Orchard, head up Keen's Lane, Chinnor, OX39 4PF - cross the railway crossing - the orchard’s directly on the right.

Quiz Night

Our next Quiz night to help raise funds for our continued and growing work will be held on Friday February 23rd 2024 at Chinnor Village Hall. Doors open 19:15, first question 19:45.

Tickets are £5 per person, up to 8 people per table with a maximum of 15 teams. Prizes for the winning team and raffle available. Payment may be made on the door (cash only) but booking is essential. Please book a table by calling David on 01844 353349. Bring your own drinks and snacks.

February dates for your diary

February dates for your diary

2024 Wassail at Donkey Lane Community Orchard

Thank you to all our volunteers and visitors who braved the elements to join us at our annual Wassail in Donkey Lane Community Orchard. It was touch and go as to whether it went ahead. Luckily the wind died down (slightly) although we still had to tie down the refreshment table.

We certainly made a lot of noise as we paraded around the Orchard to ward off bad luck and mischievous spirits so they stay away and don’t steal the fruit!

Our thanks to Claire Conway-Crapp from Mid Shires Orchard Group who did a marvellous job of leading the Wassail and to Rev’d Jacky Barr for the final blessing. And of course who could forget our special guest, Stickman who had a great time and hopes to come along to some more of our Orchard events.

Our next event will be the Greening Chinnor Quiz: February 23^rd, 7.15 pm at the Village Hall. Tickets £5 per person, tables of up to 8. Book a table/ticket by calling David on 01844 353349. Cash only please. Can be paid on the door.

The next events at the Orchard will be in conjunction with the South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group 24^th & 25^th February (details to follow) and hopefully our Blossom Day on the 27^th April.

Wassail! Good health, wealth and happiness to you for 2024!

2024 Wassail at Donkey Lane Community Orchard

On Sunday 21^st January, Greening Chinnor & The Mid Shires Orchard Group will be hosting its annual Wassail at Donkey Lane Community Orchard. Bring your noisiest pots and pans to bang to scare away those evil spirits, and join in the merriment as we bless our apple trees for a fruitful harvest in the autumn.

Time

2.00 pm – Start of the Ceremony

The Wassail Ceremony will focus on the special Royal trees, as guardians of all the others. We will:

·       Toast the King and Queen of the Orchard with a loud shout of ‘Wassail, Wassail, Wassail!’

·       Give the Wassail blessing for an abundant harvest from the apple and plum trees

·       Offer a libation of cider, representing a successful harvest, to the roots of the King and Queen

·       Pour cider onto chunks of broken bread, then hang or place these in the tree boughs, as gifts to the robins (it was believed that robins were the corporeal embodiment of apple tree spirits)

·       Dip the branches of the King and Queen of the Orchard into cider and ask blessings on their health

·       Sing the traditional Wassail Songs, accompanied by the Towersey Village Voices choir

·       Make a din to scare off mischievous spirits, by banging drums, blowing horns, beating pots and pans

·       Assembled children (of all ages!) will scatter a festive seed mix, for the wildlife to enjoy

·       Collect cups of cider and apple juice, to prepare a toast to the King and Queen of the Orchard

·       Toast the King and Queen of the Orchard again with a loud shout of ‘Wassail, Wassail, Wassail!’

·       Toast the health of the Wassailers and local community with another ‘Wassail, Wassail, Wassail!’

3.00 pm – Conclusion of the Ceremony

Congregate around the Refreshments Stall to enjoy mulled cider, apple juice and cake

Enjoy a social chat with fellow Wassailers and supporters of Donkey Lane Community Orchard

3.30 pm – Take a tour of the Donkey Lane Community Orchard

·       Take a walk around the Donkey Lane Community Orchard

·       Visit the historic apple and plum trees and learn more about them

·       Discover the site of the old well and the cottages

·       Learn how you can help keep this orchard flourishing, join in working parties and enjoy orchard events

4.00 pm – Conclusion of the Wassail at the Orchard

What to bring and wear

Please dress appropriately for the weather. Layers and sturdy shoes are advisable. Bring pots, pans, drums, shakers, etc.

Accessibility

To find us, head up Keen's Lane, Chinnor, OX39 4PF - cross the railway crossing - the Orchard is directly on the right. Please note that the ground in the Orchard is uneven and likely to be muddy at this time of year it is also particularly wet and muddy in the lane at the Orchard side of the railway crossing.

Entry is FREE with the option of a cash donation. Any voluntary donations go towards our continuing community and conservation work.