
Our Community Orchard is part of Ash Meadow – a field kindly covenanted by Sharpham House to Ashprington for the use and enjoyment of the village. It’s a stunning location and includes the Community Composting Scheme, open grass for sports and recreation, a children’s play area, adult gym equipment and the Orchard and copses. it has become a thriving social hub in our community, acting as a valuable open space for recreation, quiet relaxation and various social events, as well as offering a variety of apples for the Parish to share. The Orchard is funded by the Ash Meadow composting scheme, which is run by a thriving monthly volunteer group that provides sieved compost as well as maintaining and improving the Orchard and Play Area. We also apply for grants for specific activities and facilities.
Our 1-acre Orchard planted by Parishioners in 1999 consists of 50 apple trees gifted from South Hams District Council, predominantly varieties originating in the South West. Totnes Apple, No Pip and Dolls Eyes can be all found here. Trees are labelled by name and type, whether cooker, eater or cider variety. There are a couple of young plums and pears too. The native broadleaf copses were planted at the same time.
We are providing for wildlife by promoting the conservation of the orchard meadow through annual cutting, wildflower planting and leaving areas of uncut meadow for cover. This habitat improvement is encouraging regular owl visits and winter redwing migration. The adjoining woodland copses have woodland flowers planted and habitat piles established for the protection and improvement of the natural environment offering cover to nesting birds, insects and small mammals.
Our volunteers manage the land and orchard and, with the enthusiasm and hard work of many local people, have recently planted 100 new trees, laid a hedge on one boundary to encourage nesting birds and left some corners to thicken up. Future plans include making and installing bird and bat boxes, setting up moth evenings and keeping a species record of the flora and fauna. Interesting wildlife sightings- Oil beetles, Barn Owl and Tawny Owl, various species of bats and Redwings in the winter.
During the year, Ash Meadow holds social and fundraising events as well as providing a valuable informal recreational space. You are welcome to roam in our orchard and enjoy its beauty; however, dogs are not allowed on the site.
Ash Meadow Community Orchard can be found on the outskirts of Ashprington village, on the road towards Sharpham House. A stunning location for this lovely orchard which is near a children’s play area.


