During the height of the pandemic, we saw the very best of community spirit being harnessed across Box Parish and the wider community to get people through one of the darkest periods in our history. Box Parish Council want to see this continue and apply the same spirit to other issues such as protecting our environment.

The belief in leaving our environment in a better state than we found it unites our communities. That’s why we came up with the idea of planting a community orchard on Box Hill Lower Common to bring people together to take pride in their local green spaces, help fight climate change and improve people’s health and wellbeing.

With funding generously provided by the Corsham Area Board and Box PC, we have planted 43 fruit trees to enable the creation of a vibrant community orchard as part of the second season of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme. All the fruit trees have been sourced locally from Landcare nurseries at Old Sodbury to reduce the carbon footprint. The local Box Hill Common voluntary group has been instrumental in driving forward at pace the plans for the fruit orchard.

The preparation of the ground was supported by Manor Farm Wadswick who provided a tractor to deliver the heavy lift capability. The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens (CVW), Capita Fire & Rescue and the local Community Group provided the muscle power to plant the fruit trees. To complete the task, the Capita Fire & Rescue provided a fire tender to water the trees and encourage growth.

The Box Hill Common site was cleared, and the area prepared by the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens (CVW), the Box Hill Common voluntary group and members of the Wiltshire Community Payback team.

The Community Payback team led by Kevin Uzzell and Selina Steer have provided material support to the project contributing many man days of effort to the improvements on Box Hill Common. The energy and willingness to contribute to the local community is an inspiration to us all. The Quarryman’s Arms have generously provided the rest facilities and hot drinks for the Payback team.

The creation of the Box Hill Common Community orchard is a tangible example of individual organisations collectively contributing to a common goal to deliver a real difference to the lives of people within the community.