Owlthorpe Fields Conservation Group
Site Work
16th April 2025 - Sowing the orchard meadow
Today was a bit of an exciting milestone for us - the orchard meadow was sown with a native wildflower/grass mix. Adrian and Tony from Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust and their band of volunteers (with a little help from us at OCG) cropped the remaining brambles, sowed the seed and raked it in. We're hoping that the forecast rain will come along and give the seed a boost.
To celebrate this milestone the lovely Christine provided homemade chocolate cake to keep the crew going, and it was much appreciated by all!
We're looking forward to seeing the orchard flourish in the coming months, whilst we get on with the next stage of the project. Keep checking this page for future progress and upcoming events.
April 2025
With the beautiful spell of settled weather we had in early April the heavy machines were brought in and the top soil removed for final preparation before sowing the native wildflower mix for the meadow.
February 2025
Following the successful National Lottery Fund application the team really got into gear. The steering group began regularly monthly meetings in November 2024 to keep on top of the project. In February 2025 the groundwork began in earnest with the scrub being removed in reparation for top soil removal prior to seeding with native wild flower mix for the meadow.
Hedge laying was also continued to complete the line.
September 2023
All the trees were tagged and their precise locations GIS mapped.
February 2023
Organised by Sheffield City Council Community Forestry and Sheffield Fruit Trees we held a fruit tree pruning workshop to give the community the skills necessary to maintain the orchard (and their own fruit trees!)
October 2022
The orchard hadn't been touched for a few years so a clearance was carried out to make the trees accessible for harvesting fruit, whilst preparing for the National Lottery Funding application.
