There are many local groups of people, mainly volunteers, who work to conserve traditional orchards, are planting new orchards or give support to those doing so. Donations of funding or offers of time will be welcomed by most. Some groups also run training courses or other events or have experts who can identify fruit varieties.
If your group would like to be included on this page please send some details to contact@worcestershireorchards.co.uk
Worcestershire Biological Records Centre
Delivering a 2-year project (June 2013-June 2015) funded by the Heritage Lottery to survey orchard wildlife and support volunteers to be ‘Orchard Ambassadors’ within their community.
www.wbrc.org.uk   01905 759759
Malvern Hills AONB Partnership
Received project development funding from the Heritage Lottery in November 2013. Will submit a full project proposal in 2014 to support people in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire to learn about and manage traditional orchards.
www.malvernhillsaonb.org.uk   01684 560616
Worcester Orchard Workers
Part of Transition Worcester, WOW works on a number of orchard sites in and near the city helping owners with restoration projects. They run juicing events every autumn and campaign to encourage people to use the local abundance of fruit that is available in gardens and public spaces.
www.transitionworcester.org.uk   01905 722056
Vale Landscape Heritage Trust
Based near Evesham, the VLHT manages one of the largest remaining plum orchards in the Vale at Hipton Hill as well as a number of woodlands and meadows.
www.valetrust.weebly.com   01386 40165
Kemerton Conservation Trust and the Kemerton Orchard Workers
KCT manages a number of nature reserves in the Bredon Hill area of Worcestershire including several traditional orchards. The Orchard Workers are a volunteer group of local residents who look after one of these sites as a Community Orchard.
Wyre Community Land Trust
The WCLT, based near Bewdley, brings together local volunteers and landowners to restore and manage habitats around the Wyre Forest, including traditional orchards.
www.wyreclt.org.uk   01299 488083
Worcestershire Community Land Co-operative
Aims to identify and bring back into use abandoned or under-used land for the purpose of sustainable food production. Currently working on a community allotment and orchard project in the centre of Worcester.
www.wclcoop.org    0845 458 1289
Colwall Orchard Group
Very active community group promoting, celebrating and restoring traditional orchards in the landscape around Colwall. COG are working on an inspirational project to develop a community orchard and allotment site in the village.
Gloucestershire Orchard Group
GOG brings together orchard owners, fruit processors, training providers and anyone with an interest in Gloucestershire’s orchards into a support network to promote, celebrate and protect traditional orchards across the county.
www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk   01452 855677
The Big Apple Association
Promoting interest in English apples, pears, cider and perry, particularly in the seven parishes along the Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire.
Marcher Apple Network
Working to preserve and protect traditional fruit varieties originating in and around the Welsh Marches.
The Three Counties Cider and Perry Association
Representing and promoting the interests of craft cider and perry producers across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.