From Ukcider

South Devon Orchard Link has been going since 1998.

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WHAT IS ORCHARD LINK?

Saving Traditional Orchards

The revival of interest in orchards owes much to the pioneering work of the organisation Common Ground who promote the importance of locality and local culture and aim to stimulate new and imaginative approaches to problems in the countryside. In 1989 Common Ground published a study of orchards in which they suggested ways of saving old orchards and creating new city, school and community orchards. In Devon, Common Ground estimated that 90% of the orchards had disappeared since 1945. With the dramatic decline in traditional orchards, we have lost many local apple varieties - some are unique to one parish, or even one farm. The loss of one old orchard can mean the extinction of a variety - each a part of our local heritage. Although only a few commercial varieties of apple are on sale in the shops, Britain's National Apple Register lists over 6000 varieties of apple and in Devon many more have been identified. Over recent years orchard campaigners, including Orchard Link, have grafted these rare varieties onto new rootstock, ensuring a future for our heritage of apples.

The Role of Orchard Link

Orchard Link was established in 1998 by group of orchard campaigners, advisors from Devon's local authorities, cidermakers and orchard owners.

Orchard Link was set up in response to the wastage of apple crops from small traditional orchards and the needs of orchard owners for help and support. Whilst national and local orchard campigns have encouraged people to plant and restore orchards, there is still little support for those doing the work, in terms of advice and training. Until now there was no provision for collecting and using fruit which small traditional orchards produce.

Orchard Link aims to support orchard owners and enthusiasts, to ensure that orchards are a sustainable element of our landscape. We offer our members:

• The skills and know-how to manage traditional orchards to produce a usable and more viable crop..

• Advice on restoring old orchards - or planting new ones - with an emphasis on the use of local apple varieties.

• Access to a network of experts - including horticulturalists, cidermakers, nurseries and conservationists.

• Opportunities to visit other members' orchards, exchange knowledge and ideas, to use and enjoy their orchards and apples.