Mrs Jill Cowley of Lee Farm, Wellow, has had the wonderful idea of
planting orchards to commemorate those who took part and those who died
in the First World War. She would like to ask for the Isle of Wight
Local Councils for support in this initiative to commemorate who died
from each Town or Parish on the Island, each year of the Great War, by
the planting fruit and nut trees on community land to create Remembrance
Orchards.
Orchards would provide a living memorial which will enhance the
environment for those who live here and their children. Orchards were a
major feature of the English landscapes at the time of the First World
War as old OS maps show clearly. Sadly, they have have declined
dramatically.
The creation of Remembrance Orchards will enable
communities to work together, and encourage young people to learn about
the First World War; to play a part in improving their environment and
learn about fruit growing; to take an active part in the Centenary
commemorations.
The local schools will all be involved in First
World War commemorations. Hopefully children and their families will
join in planting orchard trees, dedicating trees to men whose lives they
have researched. In the research process they will learn about the
families, jobs and lives of the men who fought: the background, battles
and places significant in the Great War; the effect on local communities
of lives lost.
Why Orchards?
Orchards are havens for beneficial insects and wildlife, their
produce a good source of healthy food ; fruit tree blossom is beautiful
and enhances our environment. Planting trees and eating locally grown
fruit reduces the carbon footprint of the Island. Learning to plant and
care for fruit trees encourages future generations to grow their own
food, develop gardening skills, enjoy outdoor work, improve the built
environment.
There are apples regarded as Isle of Wight varieties such as Isle of
Wight Pippin, Howgate Wonder, Steyne Seedling all raised before 1914 and
suited to the Island. The diversity of apples and pears is an important
gene bank for future food production.
November, after Remembrance Day, begins the ideal planting time for fruit and nut trees.
Councillors, British Legion representatives and local Scout leaders have expressed interest and a wish to be involved.
Initial
indications are encouraging but there is much work to be done in
finding suitable land, funding for trees and their maintenance.
Town Councils are asked support this project in the first step -
registering interest with the Heritage Lottery Fund, and a partnership
between Town Councils across the Island.
Yarmouth Town Council has some experience of creating a Community Orchard and could lead the way on this project.