Manea Community Orchard

Hidden just off Park Road, the Manea Community Orchard is one of those special places that reveal their magic slowly. There’s no grand entrance or sign shouting for attention—just a path, some fruit and nut trees, picnic benches, all overlooking our fabulous fishing lake and many water birds and their young. But spend an hour here, and you’ll leave feeling lighter.

This isn’t just a patch of green—it’s a living example of what happens when people and nature work together. The orchard is a place for friendship, fresh air, and a different rhythm of life.

Over the past few years, a small band of volunteers has brought this space back to life. We’re planting more fruit trees and wildlife hedgerows to encourage bee-friendly species, adding more nest boxes for birds and bats, and watching the ecosystem develop. It’s the kind of slow, seasonal work that rewards patience and consistency—but also brings enormous joy.

The orchard is open to everyone for outdoor learning, games, nature walks, and storytelling. It’s a safe, natural setting where children can explore, learn, and connect with the land—and where adults, too, rediscover something they may not have known they were missing.

But none of this happens by itself. We need more hands, more boots on the ground, and more voices in the mix.

That’s why we’re inviting residents to join the Manea Community Orchard Group. You don’t need to be a gardener or a wildlife expert—just someone who cares about nature, community, or both. We meet from May to November, alternating Saturdays and Sundays usually from 11am to 1pm, and there’s always a warm welcome. Some people come every fortnight, some once a season. Every bit helps.

Our plans for the year ahead include more bee-friendly planting, extending hedgerows for hedgehogs, sowing new wildflower areas, and maintaining and mulching the fruit trees. We also hope to add more benches and signage so more people can learn from and enjoy the space.

There are always new ideas—heritage apple grafting, bug hotels, composting projects, or even community juicing days. But we can only grow as much as our community supports.

To support biodiversity at Manea Community Orchard, we’re planning a series of talks and workshops open to all. Topics could include planting for pollinators, hedgehog-friendly gardening, composting techniques, fruit tree pruning, and creating wildlife habitats like bug hotels and bird boxes. We’d also love to explore talks on native hedgerows, wildflower meadow creation, and the role of ponds and wetlands in small-scale conservation. These sessions will offer practical tips, spark new ideas, and help more residents feel confident getting involved. If you’d like to suggest a speaker or host a session, please get in touch.

So whether you’re handy with a spade, keen to learn a new skill, or just fancy a couple of peaceful hours outside with like-minded neighbours.

Come once, come often, or just help spread the word. Manea Community Orchard is already a special place—but with your help, it can become something truly magical. 

 

Janet O’Keefe

Manea Parish Councillor

jokeefe@manea-pc.gov.uk | 07545 768 024

Together, we can grow a wilder, greener, and more connected Manea—one hedge, one tree, one morning at a time.