Cattle have got through the access gate into Hawkyard Copse on two occasions recently, and unfortunately damaged some of the young trees planted there. Pending a permanent solution which will not allow livestock to enter, the gate has therefore been temporarily locked. As custodians of the future copse, we apologise for this unavoidable inconvenience.
Since its appearance in the U.K. in the late 1960s, the now infamous Dutch elm disease has killed millions of elm trees here over the last 50 years. It has changed parts of our landscape forever and is still spreading north. However, thanks to the painstaking breeding of hybrids, there now exist varieties with noted similarity to the lost English elms (ulmus procera) but which are, it is claimed, completely resistant to the disease.
Although there still exist surviving mature elm trees in Britain, they have all vanished from Chipping Norton, and are remembered only in the local name Elmsfield. Now, Green Gym have planted a small number of elm saplings alongside the drive to Elmsfield Farm, which also leads to the Community Orchard. It is hoped that at some time in the future, they will resemble those in this photograph and recreate a glorious scene from the past.
The annual Blossom Day festival will take place on Sunday May 11th, from 12 to 3, at the Chipping Norton Community Orchard. Admission is free and all are welcome. Parking space is limited – please come on foot if at all possible. For details on how to get there, parking, and a map of the location, see here.
We realise that there may be people who would like to join Green Gym or at least try it out, but cannot attend on a Wednesday, typically for work reasons. We have therefore set up two trial work sessions on a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 pm, with a break at 11.30. These sessions will take place on April 5th and and April 26th, as shown on our current programme.
If you would like to join us on one or both of those days, please let our Membership Secretary Rachel know – see Contacts. We look forward to meeting you!
