Next door to the Charlton Down Nature Area is the Community Orchard. Villagers planted the trees 20 or so years ago. There are apple, pear, and plum trees of many varieties. Each tree has a label saying which type of fruit, and the name of the family that planted the tree. If there is a ribbon tied around the tree trunk, then the fruit can only be picked by the family who planted the tree. If there is no ribbon, anyone resident in the village can help themselves.
In good years there is plenty of fruit for everyone and lots of windfalls left on the ground for visiting animals in autumn and winter, and birds including fieldfares and redwings that stop over for a feast during their winter migration. In other years, the trees can be stripped by unauthorised visitors, some of whom take so much fruit it must be for commercial purposes, and there is little left for residents or wildlife.
This time of year the orchard is bursting into blossom and is a very beautiful sight. Right now the pink apple and the white pear blossoms are beginning to appear – the plums seem to flower later.
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Charlton Down Nature Area 