If you have a few hours to spare and would like to put them to good use improving our surroundings, sharing your skills with others or just giving something back to the community, Fairfield offers plenty of opportunities for volunteering. This month we are featuring the Friends of the Fairfield Orchards – read on to find out more. 

Who are they? A group of Fairfield residents with an interest in keeping our historic orchards in good condition. 

What do they do? They take part in workshops and working groups to maintain the orchards, particularly in the early winter when pruning is needed. They also help to organise Apple Day in the autumn. 

Who can join? Anyone who is interested in helping to maintain Fairfield’s orchards.

Where and when do they meet? The work is intermittent but members are generally invited to join in pruning workshops and working groups in the early winter and apple picking days in the autumn.

What’s in it for me? As a Friend of the Orchards you can learn from an expert how to prune and care for fruit trees during the winter pruning workshops, be instrumental in maintaining and improving some of our best-loved green spaces, and be at the centre of one of Fairfield’s biggest community events. 

How can I get involved? Email friendsoftheorchards@fairfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk with an offer of help or just to be added to the contact list.

Why now? Apple Day is upon us and volunteers are needed to pick apples in advance and prepare them for the presses on the day!