Article - Peacehaven Community Orchard

Peacehaven Community Orchard

I have been in Peacehaven rather a long time; I am a born and bred Brightonian. This year in my pursuit to get out into the open and help with a Community project, I stumbled upon the Peacehaven Orchard.

If you have missed this little gem situated behind the Big Park’s children’s playground, you will be forgiven. Orchards do not establish themselves in a matter of months and, apple trees do not come into maturity for a good 5 or more years. This land is a big challenge with the crazy winds that whip through this open space for a large percentage of the year, so the trees have to be covered with protective netting. Other trees and shrubs have been planted around the orchard to provide a much-needed windbreak. They also give beautiful colours and a lovely feast for the birds and wildlife all year round. As I started working with the team, it opened my eyes to the hard work needed to protect our green spaces from the ever-encroaching building developments.

This was what the orchard space looked like before work started. It was the builders yard for the Sewage works.

The orchard covers an area of approximately 5 acres and is home to around 100 apple trees, many of which are Sussex varieties. Brighton Permaculture Trust has provided expertise and training over the years. The orchard is now managed by a group of community volunteers, led by David Seabrook and Sue Griffiths and is well established. Just some of the beautiful examples of bio-diversity from the area created since the wild flowers were scattered.

During September 2019, voles were becoming a particular problem. They were eating the roots of the young trees; several were lost many more were damaged. The Covid-19 restrictions also put things back for a while in 2020. Throughout 2021 beautiful wildflowers provided vibrant colours and a haven for birds and wildlife.

Volunteer days are held throughout the year. Anyone is welcome. You take on jobs depending on your level of fitness and ability. So far, I have raked the grass that needed to be removed and put into the shelterbelt to provide a good mulch. I have mended fences damaged from the high winds and sometimes vandals. Weeding is always needed around the trees, and pruning, planting, watering and mulching.

The group are always very welcoming and friendly, you do as much or a little as you can manage. I learnt early on that a pair of secateurs and a strong pair of gloves would be my best friend, water and sunblock in the summer and some waterproof clothing in the winter.

All-hands Tree Planting Event for January 2022.

There will be 100 trees arriving after 10�� January 2022. Community volunteers are needed. No training necessary. See Facebook: Peacehaven Community Orchard for the exact date nearer the time. If you don’t have Facebook, please email info@peacehavendirectory.co.uk and I will let you know.

Appointments are available as usual, following government and professional guidelines.

full sanitation is in operation at all times

This Months Zoom Classes

I would like to hear from anyone interested in a beginner’s yoga class online, and whether they would like day or evening? There is generally a 20% discount for a block booking. When you register on zoom, I will send payment details if you need them, then event password. I look forward to seeing you.

Wednesday:

Chair Yoga 11:15 am - 12 noon (£6.75 donation) Good for people who cannot get up and down from the floor, are a little older or in rehabilitation from an injury. Work every part of your body! Also good for desk workers. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqc--prTMqB-l6h9wMGkZF1jpXwwq4lg Pranayama (Breathing) 12:00 - 12:30 pm (£4.50 donation) Learn to master your breathing for improved health and well-being. Breathing is the first and last thing we ever do - let's make what we do in between work for us. Particularly important to keep immune functioning well at this time. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsdeytrj0v35yC8yVrduAMpG8IfPM5zQ Yoga for Health Intermediate (General) Level 12:30 - 2:00 pm (£13.50 donation) Explore movement with lightness and ease, strengthen, stretch, tone, breathe. Release stress in a safe, fun, friendly environment. Moving with the breath and using core strengthening. Learn the sequences to practice at home. General level –beginners should attend Thursday yoga unless fit in another similar discipline, like dance. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctceGqqj4tUo2QCGlaRnLe8S-Iqepjpw Yoga for Health Intermediate to Advanced Level 7:00 - 9:00 pm (£16 donation (2 hours), £13.50 donation (1.5 hours), £9 donation (1 hour)) Explore movement with lightness and ease, strengthen, stretch, tone, breathe. Release stress in a safe, fun, friendly environment. Moving with the breath and using core strengthening. Learn the sequences to practice at home. Intermediate level requiring a level of fitness and strength –beginners should attend Thursday yoga unless fit in another similar discipline, like dance. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Aqfu6rqzws6GHBm47T16MYjUmHzCC4hw

Thursday:

Gong Bath Sound Therapy Relaxation 8:00 - 8:45 pm (£6.75 donation) Relax to the sound of the GONGS while you sit in a chair or lay on your mat under a warm blanket and enjoy gentle yet deep vibrational healing. Vibrational (sound) healing will gently reach the parts within you that are ready for and need deep relaxation and release. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uJQoce2orDIu2FVU-2zmvVy-9ywRDHG7vA