Those of you in the village who walk up Keens Lane and into Donkey Lane towards the Ridgeway pass the Donkey Lane Community Orchard on the right just past the railway crossing.
Historically this was not an orchard. On the site there were six families living in three cottages built probably during the late 18th century and finally pulled down about 100 years ago. All of the heritage fruit trees found within the orchard were most likely planted by the cottagers.
About 25 years ago, efforts were made by the Chinnor Countryside group to clear the site but since then it had become completely overgrown and a focus for antisocial behaviour.
Greening Chinnor were approached by the Chiltern Conservation Board back in November 2017 to discuss involvement in ‘Rough around the Edges’; one of the interweaving projects part of the ‘Chalk, Cherries & Chairs’ Lottery-funded project. In discussion, the ‘orchard site’ came up which, at that time, was an impenetrable mess.
After much thinking, surveying and writing, rewriting and even more rewriting of proposals and costings, we were ready to reach out to the community at the end of 2018 and publish the ‘Five-Year Orchard Plan’. Local organisations could not have been more supportive: Chinnor Parish Council, Mid Shires Orchard Group (MSOG), Wild Oxfordshire, BBOWT, Chiltern Rangers, SODC and most of all our amazing team of volunteers. Special thanks must go to Mr Derek Nixey the landowner who has given the village a free fifteen-year tenancy.
Much of 2019 was spent clearing a century’s worth of accumulated detritus. The trees slowly emerging from their covering of ivy, brambles and nettles revealed their amazing shapes, followed by extensive blossoming and the abundant crop of apples. During the first year of work, we have made sure, with the professional expertise of Keith Webley, a full photographic record of the orchard story has been kept for posterity.
During the year we learnt how to carry out remedial pruning and make sure the space was as safe as possible for the community to visit. Much research was undertaken to identify the heritage apples in the orchard with thanks to MSOG. So far, we have identified about 40% with many varieties going back to the middle of the 19th century when we believe the majority of the planting was carried out.
A significant part of the story of the orchard is the life of the villagers who lived and, in many cases, worked in the cottages. We were fortunate that our volunteers including Carol Stewart together with Bernard Braun, formed the core of an ‘Orchard Story’ Group and have carried out a truly awesome job of pulling out the history of people, families and occupations of the cottagers. Plans are afoot to publish some of the snippets uncovered.
There is still much to be done; continual clearing and pruning are necessary as well as ensuring natural habitats are conserved. There are plans to install some seating, perfect for quiet contemplation and to install easy pedestrian access. In addition, during the autumn a row of native hedging alongside the lane side of the orchard will be planted.
Hopefully we will soon be able to welcome the community back to the orchard and continue to share the story of Donkey Lane Community Orchard.
Alan Brawn, May 2021
For more information or to get involved, email greeningchinnor@gmail.com or checkout the ‘Project’ tab on our website at www.greeningchinnor.blogspot.com.
For more information or to get involved, email greeningchinnor@gmail.com or checkout the ‘Project’ tab on our website at www.greeningchinnor.blogspot.com.
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