THE ORCHARD STORY
Newquay Orchard is a 7-acre community space in the centre of Newquay, created and cared for by over 600 volunteers.
We have a traditional orchard, a community grow space, a wood workshop and a forest garden. This year we complete construction of our community building and begin development of our wildflower meadow and Market Garden.
We work together to make our community a greater place for everyone.
THE PAST
Working together since January 2015 with a team of passionate volunteers, the dream has been to transform this green space in the heart of Newquay into a vibrant community asset providing environmental education, mental health services, community events and employability services and training.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
The continued expansion of urban development has seen a drastic decline in habitat.
Greenspaces are the ‘green lungs’ of our towns and cities which contribute to improving people’s physical and mental health. They provide places for informal recreation – walking, cycling, sitting, socialising and children’s play – and ‘breathing spaces’ to take time out from the stresses of modern life.
There is a need to expand our understanding of spatial conservation and utilise the vacant and poorly used town spaces, to enhance and provide habitat for wildlife; provide sustainable provisions for the local population; and create lasting social change among residents.
Traditional orchards are a much-loved part of our British heritage and countryside, providing local communities with delicious fruit and peaceful places to enjoy. They also provide food and shelter for hundreds of rare plants, lichens, small mammals and invertebrates, including the rare noble chafer beetle, which relies on the decaying wood of old fruit trees.
Almost one in six people in the UK will suffer from mental ill-health in their lifetime. Mental ill-health can lead to and maintain health and social inequalities.
Major risk factors for mental health problems are poverty, poor education, unemployment and social isolation. Deprivation and lack of access to green spaces also impact greatly on health, with greater incidences of cardiovascular and mental health problems from reduced exposure to green space.
Cornwall has high deprivation, and a housing affordability and availability crisis (particularly for vulnerable people). Low wages and high unemployment with a dependency on low paid seasonal work have contributed to the weak local economy and economic decline from the recession, which are far worse than the national average.
The creation of a multifunctional orchard and community centre in the heart of this bustling and expanding town will provide residents with a rural escape in an urban setting. A place where residents can not only learn and play, but be able to gain respite from the fast paced stresses of everyday life. The site will aim to improve the local economy by:
- Providing jobs, apprenticeships, and educational services to local residents;
- Make organic cheap and available, and reduce food miles and wastage;
- Improve the health and wellbeing of residents through exercise prescription schemes, rehabilitation, and mental health services; and
- Create a social hub where people from all walks of life can congregate
THE FUTURE
The next year is incredibly exciting for our community. With our new assets coming together, our grow space in constant development, our young trees growing every single day and our volunteer team constantly expanding – our green hub is fast becoming an invaluable spot for our community to call their own.
Watch out for more information on our developments to come.