Jan 2024 - A Wassailing Welcome for the New Year

 Were in lovely Longsight at Crowcroft Park, for an inspiring morning of pan banging, tree toast hanging, poetry, music, and food. Wassailing is an English tradition going back centuries, where communities would bless their fruit trees for a positive harvest to come, by pouring cider and apple juice over  the tree roots and shouting and singing to ward off evil spirits.. Here we've got a local drummer to help create even more noise as we parade around the fruit trees, and sing traditional songs..

This community orchard and growing space has transformed a redundant old overgrown bowling green into a real community asset. Over 45 trees, nearly 50 metres of hedge and hundreds of lovely herbs have been planted. The scheme has been delivered by The Orchard Project who have taken a strong lead in developing the idea here and shaping it into a reality,  in partnership with the Council and environmental charities City of Trees and  Sow the City. 

 Cllr Linda Foley from the Council is here, and is blown away by it all - there must be about 70 people attending, on a cold (but at least dry) Saturday morning.. " its a celebration really. of all things good about nature and people - communities coming together, working together and sharing their positive energy".

The community have really got behind this - over 100 people turned out to plant the first phase of the orchard a year ago, and that really did provide the impetus for this project. The Orchard Project ran six engagement workshops to get local input - priceless for establishing  long term commitment  and management of the space. 

Alex, a builder from Moss Side, has come along. He has volunteered and helped with all types of practical jobs on site, and his skills have been invaluable. 

Clare from the community Group SNUG ( Sustainable Northmoor by Urban Greening) along with  local kids from the community all step up to the mic and  inspire us all with their own words of wisdom. 

"Trees are like superheroes! They give us so much, and I get the chance to plant my very own tree!"

" Helping here has made me feel super close to Nature.."

Elsa, from The Orchard Project, should be and is rightly proud of what's happening here.  Working together to get things done - that's what its all about. Its also about celebrating as it's a team effort - what better way than wolfing down some lovely curry and rice and some pakoras. A  fitting end to a great morning!