A warm welcome in the orchard5 October 2011
South East Essex Friends of the Earth recently organised an open orchard and garden event in Downham. The open day was a resounding success and helped raise £200 for Friends of the Earth.
The venue for the occasion was Mount Holly Orchard belonging to group member Maike. The orchard - originally planted by a Quaker family in the early 1900s - is one of the few orchards still growing original Victorian varieties.
The group raised money by charging a small admission fee.
There were also refreshments, bric-a-brac and plants on sale. People were encouraged to taste all the available fruit and look around the orchard.
It's the best event we've organised as a group...ever!
Denis Walker, South East Essex Friends of the Earth
The group had come prepared for the worst and borrowed a gazebo to shelter from the expected rain.
But unseasonably hot weather meant the gazebo was left unused and the crowds enjoyed the warm October sunshine instead.
Get involved locally
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© South East Essex Friends of the Earth
