Orchards to be planted across the area to mark King Charles III Coronation

Progress has been made to plant at least 20 community orchards throughout Wiltshire soon as part of a government tree initiative to celebrate last year’s Coronation of King Charles III.

The Coronation Living Heritage Fund project, run by Wiltshire Council locally, aims to develop green skills, including orchard maintenance and traditional tree care skills, and encourage orchard celebrations such as wassails and apple pressing days.

Trees will be planted in projects in South Wiltshire in the following areas: Bemerton Heath, Bishopstone, four sites in Downton, Tisbury, Alderbury and in the Rise:61 Community Garden. 

Wiltshire Council was awarded a £50,000 grant from government and invited applications from those interested in taking part. As a result, the council distributed the fund among eligible projects.

The fund has supported the purchase of trees, protection measures and establishment costs, as well as a commemorative wooden monolith for the orchards for those that want it, made by a Wiltshire sign-maker.

Orchards are already being planted and others will be soon. Wassailing events are taking place across the county to celebrate the new orchards. New Wiltshire-focussed wassailing songs have been written to mark the occasion. Wassailing refers to the ancient custom of visiting orchards in cider-producing reciting incantations and singing to the trees to promote a good harvest for the coming year. More information about the locations of the orchards can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/trees-and-woodland-in-wiltshire.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This exciting project really has captured the imagination of those involved. Not only will orchards be planted that will help to enhance Wiltshire’s beautiful environment for generations to come, but the project encapsulates the best of Wiltshire and its communities, leaving a lasting legacy.

“We really see these new orchards as being hubs for the community and there is no greater fitting tribute to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. My thanks go to everyone for their enthusiasm and commitment to making this a success.”

If members of the public would like to find out if there is a new or existing community orchard near them so that they can get involved, or to receive the words, sheet music and music to the new wassails, they can contact GAPS@wiltshire.gov.uk.

The project is being overseen by the council’s Grant Application and Planting Support (GAPS) team. The team was set up with funding from the Forestry Commission's Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund to provide support to landowners, community groups and local town and parish councils to deliver substantially more tree planting across the county. More information about the team can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/trees-and-woodland-in-wiltshire.