By Josey Crane Burrows (Good Food Lewisham Volunteer)
When Rachel Mooney (pictured left, pointing out a Somerset Red cider tree) told me that there were 20 different apple and pear tree varieties up on Hilly Fields, I was surprised. I hadn’t realised that you could get so many different types. This was my first ever visit to an orchard space within Lewisham and despite the rain lashing down (it’s a common theme), it was great to hear how the Hilly Fields Community Orchard project came to be. Rachel is a landscape architect by profession and has been involved with the project for many years and offers her time voluntarily to care for the orchard. She kindly showed me around and shared her knowledge.
The orchard sits close to the iconic stone circle (you’ll know exactly where I mean if you’ve ever visited) high up on Hilly Fields, with its breathtaking views. It began with just seven apple trees, which were planted with the help of 50 volunteers back in 2011. The project is part of The Orchard Project - a scheme to promote fruit growing in the capital (as well as nationally) and was initially led by local resident and environmentalist Fran Rogers, who sadly died in 2014.
The fruit theme was extended a little further afield with a damson, even a quince and greengage tree and - one I hadn’t heard of before – a medlar fruit tree (popular during medieval times but not grown much today). They produce large white flowers in late spring and then small golden-brown fruits in autumn. Rachel tells me that they’re deliciously sweet if picked at the right time.
They also have several apple trees (donated as part of the Woodland Trust’s Queen’s Canopy project in 2022). People are free to come and pick the fruit from the trees and frequently do, most of the apples and pears are usually ready by September.
The orchard is well established now but Rachel still needs a regular flow of volunteers to weed, prune and maintain the space. Helped by local orchard expert Caroline, Rachel also organises orchard pruning sessions and a Brockley variation of a traditional Wassail at the orchard, where people come together to wish the trees good health, sing and enjoy spiced apple juice and cider.
Volunteer Sessions
Orchard sessions are seasonal, usually closed in January and a couple of times throughout the year. General sessions will resume in September and will be held on the third or last Sunday every month – (tbc). Please contact Rachel before attending via email: hillyfields4@googlemail.com
What’s the one thing?
When I ask Rachel the all-important question to which I ask every community garden / orchard, Rachel says this:
“the orchard’s here, come and visit”
So why not do just that? Hilly Fields Community Orchard - a beautiful urban space with an impressive array of cider and fruit trees and even a rare medlar, which, if you’re lucky enough, you might just get to sample its golden sweetness.
If you'd like to be added to our Food Growing WhatsApp group or if you'd like your garden to be featured in this series, please email: goodfood@lewishamlocal.com
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