How do we celebrate and grow the orchard movement in Scotland as part of the local food revolution?
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You are cordially invited to take part in the first Orchard Gathering on Friday 7th November. This will be an open event calling people together from across Scotland who are passionate about orchard trees, their fruits (and nuts), and how we strengthen the culture, knowledge and skills of keeping them. We believe the following things will happen at the event:
- sharing experiences and knowledge
- building energy and enthusing folk
- making new connections and sparking new ideas
- working together to further the orchard movement
- eating good food, having a great time
These are exciting yet demanding times. All over the country, old orchards are waking up and new ones are being planted, yet at the same time the supermarkets retain their stifling globalised influence: despite the apple being Scotland’s favourite fruit, our shop shelves are bare of Scottish-grown apples. But the orchard tree, and the apple in particular, has deep roots in our culture, and seems poised for a resurgence.
We will be using innovative participative leadership techniques to ensure that everybody present has a voice, and also harvesting the fruits of all the conversations as we go along, taking notes, photos and video that will be uploaded to a website of the event.
This is an event in two halves: discussion and celebration – you are invited to both. Once the purposeful, focussed daytime part is finished, we will move on to an cultural evening with music, storytelling, dinner, a play and ceilidh.
Tickets are by donation from £5 for the daytime and £5 for the evening (£2.50 unwaged).
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This is a collaborative event hosted by Fife Diet, Orchard Research & Enterprise CIC and Forth Environment Link. For up to date event info please visit any of the three websites:
PROPOSED PROGRAMME (to be finalised)
1000: Registration, tea, coffee, freshly pressed apple juice
1030: Welcome circle including an interactive map of Scotland’s orchards and update on the National Orchard Inventory.
1130: What has been achieved so far?
In this session we will explore and discuss what is happening across all sectors of orchard growing, generating the agenda on the day to fit the programme to the people.
1300: Lunch with practical demonstrations and stalls featuring:
- Strategy meeting for National Orchard Inventory
- Book launch of Apple Hunter’s Handbook by Fife Diet Seed Truck
- Celebration of Forth Valley Orchards initiative
- How to preserve your fruit
- Toffee apple tree
1430: What is needed to help grow the orchard movement?
Gathering everyone together, we will use the World Cafe format to discuss how to grow and strengthen the orchard movement.
1600: Next Steps
What do we think are the key next steps? How much can you commit to making them happen? With a summary and closing speech by Fife Diet’s Mike Small.
1700: Day event closes
1730: Sit-down dinner with an orchard fruit theme. With a welcome by Mrs Mash the Storytelling Cook.
1900: The Forgotten Orchard. A play for all ages by Eco-Drama. Followed by a tasting of all of Scotland’s apple varieties
2100 – 2230: Ceilidh with Hud Yer Wheesht ceilidh band, plus others – feel free to take a turn!
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With thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for the funding to make this happen. Forth Valley Orchards Initiative is funded by CSGN. Header photograph by Clementine Sandison.
