Naunton Court Orchard; grassland and orchard restoration

This LCF funded old traditional orchard lies on ancient ridge and furrow but the site has been neglected in recent times. The grassland has lost much of its floral diversity and there are many gaps in the orchard where trees have died and not been replaced. VLHT purchased the site with a LCF grant and we propose to maintain the existing trees as wildlife habitat and restock the orchard with traditional, local heritage fruit varieties; re-fence the site to allow conservation grazing to improve the grassland for wildflowers and associated pollinators; plant a wildlife hedge between the orchard and adjacent field to provide additional habitat; carry out safety work to five old pear trees along the road verge.