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Franklin Park Extension and Community Orchard, Meadow Area and Wildlife Pond
The Town Council is pleased to have taken over the ownership of 1.11 hectares of redundant Braunstone Close allotment land from Leicester City Council to extend Franklin Park.
Following consultation with local residents on how the site should be developed, taking the views into account the Council chose to develop the site as a meadow area and Community Orchard and Wildlife Pond and planning permission was granted to the Town Council in September 2007.
The site has been redundant for over ten years so the first phase of the project has been site clearance works. These were completed in October 2007. The works have enhanced the existing character of the site and existing trees have been retained. It is already clear that the area of land will be an attractive and welcoming space for local residents and also a haven for wildlife. We have already discovered an abundance of blackberries and plums on site and we are looking forward to a Friends of Franklin Park Working Group to consider what varieties of apples should be planted in the orchard. It is expected that the extension will be officially opened next summer.
The next step of the project is for a Franklin Park Working Group to agree on future projects for the site, including the construction of a Wildlife Pond. The initial Fruit Tree planting for the Community Orchard will complete the first phase of the project in early 2008.
The success of this project will rely on the support and strength of the local community. If you would like to help or become involved in any way by, for example, serving on a ‘Friends of the Orchard’ Group, please contact me at ianlaughton@braunstonetowncouncil.org.uk or at the Town Council's offices on 0116 2899270.
Plan showing layout for Community Orchard and Meadow
Community Orchards
An orchard is a collection of fruit trees and should be open and accessible at all times. As well as enjoying the place, local people can share the harvest, taking responsibility for any work in the orchard. Community Orchards are now becoming more popular and Apple Day is celebrated widely on October 21st each year.
To find out more about Community Orchards and Apple Day – visit the Common Ground Website below.
Franklin Park Community Orchard is being developed with the help of
Leicestershire County Council - Stepping Stones Project & Shire Grants Scheme
Big Lottery Fund
BBC Breathing Places
Layout of Community Orchard
Below is the layout for the Community Orchard which will be planted in early 2008. If you click on the picture it will lead you to a separate page where you can find out more information on the varieties of apples that are to be planted. The layout was agreed by the Friends of Franklin Park Group.
Arial View of Option 1 for Layout of Orchard (circular)
LATEST NEWS
As you are all aware the trees have now all been planted in the Community Orchard – we’ve just got to wait a year or so for some apples, but there should be plenty to do in the meantime. It is not anticipated that the site will be opened up until next year. However, the Franklin Park Working Group has since met to see how the site can be used for people to enjoy in the meantime.
It has been proposed to hold a series of open days at various times of the year so that people can see the site through the seasons and if they wish to do so, get involved in the maintenance. The following is a seasonal guide to what activities can be carried:-
Spring |
View the blossom and bluebells |
Summer |
Hay Raking (July) |
Autumn |
Apple Picking |
Winter |
Tree Planting (November to February) |
2008
In August the Working Group will hold a stall at the Allotment Society’s Open Day on 16th August and depending on when the blackberries and damson are at their best the site will be opened up on a Saturday or Sunday to allow people to pick the fruit. Guided tours of the site could also be given.
A ‘mini’ Apple Day event is planned for October – details are yet to be firmed up but it expected to be third week in October. We will keep everyone up to date and publish details in the Braunstone Life. Anyone who would like to be involved in this event can contact either the Town Council offices on 0116 2899270 or Mr John Dodd, Heritage Warden.
2009
Initial ideas for the following year include:
o An open day in the spring when the site is in blossom.
o Anyone who knows how to prune trees – perhaps a date can be set in February to help us out.
o In July the meadow area will need to be cut and a Hay Raking and Bring Your Own Picnic is planned.
o A request for donation of local varieties of bulbs will be made in September – anyone can come along and plant the bulbs and school children will be welcomed to join in.
o Again an Apple Day event in October.
Local Residents Plant Community Orchard
Well done to everyone who turned out on Saturday 23rd February to plant the Community Orchard, boundary hedge and a variety of other fruit trees. The turnout was fantastic, with at one point, up to fifty people of all age groups, and the effort everyone put in meant we were able to achieve great progress. Not everyone who took part left their names and contact details, so if you were there on Saturday, please contact us and we will keep you up to date with progress.
Young people also got stuck in with the planting when pupils from Millfield, Kingsway and Ravenhurst School selected a number of apple trees to plant at their own events. They thoroughly enjoyed the event, particularly getting stuck in the mud.
Once again, many thanks from the Town Council and Members of the Franklin Park Working Group.
Click Here for Photos of the Planting Day on 23rd February 2008
Images of Franklin Park through the Seasons
Wildlife Pond
Siting of Former Ponds within the Town
Friends of Franklin Park Working Group
The success of this project will rely on the support and strength of the local community. If you would like to help or become involved in any way by, for example, serving on a ‘Friends of the Orchard’ Group, please contact me at ianlaughton@braunstonetowncouncil.org.uk or at the Town Council's offices on 0116 2899270.
It is expected that the Group will take responsibility for progressing phase 2 of the project, including tree planting, maintenance of the fruit trees and organising community events at the site including the Apple Day Celebration.
Initial site visit of the Friends of Franklin Park Working Group
Councillor Nick Brown Sowing the Meadow Seed
Councillor Phil Fox Sowing Meadow Seed
John Dodd, our Heritage Warden, inspecting the new pathways
Images of site - Before and After the site clearance
Before Bottom Field Entrance
Before - Bottom Field Entrance Area
Before - Towards the new Woodland Walk
How the Woodland Walk looks now
Before - Into the Meadow Area
Before - Meadow Area
Before - Towards the new 'Bramble Walk'
How the Meadow Area looks now
View of the area identified for a Wildlife Pond within the Meadow Area
We've never known what's behind this lot - but the new walkway goes through it
A 'Bramble Walk' has now been created, linking the Meadow and Orchard area
Into the Orchard Area
The area now cleared for the Community Orchard
During the Site Clearance Works - 8th October 2007 - 24th October 2007
The new entrance to the Community Orchard area is created
Clearing the Community Orchard site
Creating the entrance into the new Meadow area
Farmer Root kindly ploughing the meadow area for us
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR WOULD LIKE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES PLEASE CONTACT -
Executive Officer & Town Clerk - Mr Ian Laughton
Braunstone Town Council, Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Braunstone Town, Leicester, LE3 2PP.
Telephone: 0116 2899270
Fax: 0116 2824785
Email: ianlaughton@braunstonetowncouncil.org.uk
I'm deeply suspicious
Of Golden Delicious,
They taste like old blankets to me.
Just give me a box
Of sweet English Cox
Picked ripe from a real Kentish tree.
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