In 2025 Rotary in Guildford volunteered to help the Shalford Community Orchard project
maintain the 32 fruit trees planted adjacent to the Shalford Church. This year has been particularly challenging with drought conditions so on the 11 July we had a day hand watering the trees to ensure they survive the first 3 years. We will continue at intervals to continue this work with the aim of:
- Creating an orchard for the community, a place to enjoy and learn
- To enhance biodiversity
- To provide a source of free locally grown produce
- To run blossom and apple days and similar celebratory events
The Orchard is outside the Cemetery gates, opposite the Infant School and Queen
Victoria Pub beside the busy A281 road.
The open site is accessible all day, every day, to everyone. The land is owned and
managed by Guildford Borough Council (GBC) as part of Shalford Common.
Planting took place over two sessions in December 2024 and January 2025.
Tree varieties include apple, pear, cherry, plum, damson, apricot, almond, walnut and
also a mulberry, the gift of GBC. A schedule of varieties is available on request.
The aim is to grow some heritage varieties of apple, some local to Surrey, whilst also
exploring how less common species such as apricots will perform in our changing
climate.
