A successful training and maintenance session was carried out at the Monmouth Community Orchard on Sunday (February 6), hosted by Transition Monmouth. The excellent training covered all aspects, from tool explanations and cut profiles through to the underlying strategy behind maintenance pruning. Tools and information booklets were provided, along with demonstrations and guidance. All of this (including hot drinks!) was down to one person; a huge thank you goes to local expert Helena Ronicle, who led the session with generosity of her knowledge and patience!

Around 20 attendees are now more skilled and confident in pruning and the orchard got some much-needed attention. It also proved to be a social occasion after long periods stuck inside or restricted to virtual contact. New and familiar faces were welcomed and children made dens while the adults all got stuck in. A further session is ear-marked for May to tackle hard stoned fruit trees The background story can be found on TransitionMonmouth.org.

and further information is on the noticeboard at the site entrance.