Five hardy GG Yorkies met at Holgate Community Orchard on a cold and frosty morning.

On arrival we were wowed at the sight of the orchard which we've seen in various states of neglect over the last few years when we visited for a variety of 'destruction' tasks. Now you can really see the 'fruits' of our labour - the previous nettle and bramble-ridden plot is covered in grass, planted with trees and surrounded by lovely raised beds.

The solid frozen ground put paid to our intended task of digging and bulb planting, but Helen had a variety of other jobs to keep us busy. Today we started work on clearing another overgrown plot for a future apiary. 🐝🐝🐝

We split into two teams. Vicky, Babs and Paul Kelly were on bramble duty while Claire and Leanne got to work sorting piles of rubbish into 'wood' and 'not wood' categories. The wood pile will be disposed through the medium of bonfire (Vicky was quick to offer our services, so keep an eye out for a future task/ bonfire social) while the 'not wood' was wheelbarrowed up to the entrance. We then split it further into 'useless' (for disposal) and 'potentially useful' piles for others to take and use as they wish.

You look like Stig of the Dump! (Barbara)

After an hour, the bramble team had made a massive difference on the clearing, and the bonfire pile was free of plastic, metal, bricks and abandoned allotment signs.

I'm sure we'll be back soon to make more headway on developing this beautiful space for the community (of bees).