## **COGS Community Orchard Group Sedbergh** Registered Charity 1173754 ## **Annual Report 2021** ## A) Chair’s Report Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we were unable to raise any funds from coffee mornings or Apple Day. A huge thank you must go to all those who kindly donated to help the orchard continue, without these donations it would have been very difficult to keep going. It has also been difficult to have working parties due to restrictions, however individual members have been able to do some pruning and general maintenance. Two main wooden posts have been replaced as both had rotted in the ground, see Treasurer's report for costs. It is our hope that this is not an ongoing expense and that the remaining fencing will be sound for many years to come. Two additions to the orchard are the slate roofed leaflet dispenser and the information board. Costs for both these items were covered by grants which were applied for prior to the pandemic. The board was created by local designer Des Metcalfe and erected near the orchard entrance gate. It has attracted many visitors who hopefully find the information useful and informative. The apple and damson trees are looking healthy, and we hope that this spring we will have a good show of blossom, with an abundant crop of apples to be enjoyed in autumn. The fruit and herbs were again exceptionally good last year, and it was very pleasing to know that once the fact that people could go and help themselves was broadcast on the Sedbergh Community Forum, locals did exactly that! It’s been great to see so many people enjoying the peace and quiet of the orchard while taking in the views. There have been a few family picnics too, and some fun to be had in and around the stump circle. Unfortunately, the primary school children were unable to have their September afternoon in the orchard with us due to the restrictions. Hopefully we will be able to resume normal service this September. We plan to hold our fifth annual Apple Day at the People’s Hall on 23rd October. We will start pressing at 9:30am and by 10am, when the doors open, we will hopefully have many litres of fresh apple juice ready to taste, and all at no cost. In addition to Apple Day, we hope to have a few working parties, with a maximum of 6 people attending each one, these will happen after 29th March, dates to be confirmed in a later email. We will be looking for volunteers willing to weed and feed the trees, as well as general maintenance of the stump circle and fruit and herb beds. Thank you to all those who have and are supporting the Community Orchard - we couldn't do it without you, and in particular to our 35 members. Ann Parratt, Chair, COGS March 2021 B) Treasurer’s Report 1 Mar 2020 – 28 Feb 2021 Summary: - Cumberland BS balance: o 29 Feb 2020 1525.80 o 28 Feb 2021 647.75 - Work at the Orchard cost 960.37 and comprised: - Construction of raised beds and installation of leaflet holder by Dave Jermy - Design and construction of information board by Des Metcalfe and Novadura - Due to Covid restrictions Apple Day 2020 was cancelled, along with coffee mornings. Although the loss of these events meant less income, COGS members generously donated a total of 250.00 - Annual running costs for the Orchard for 2021-22 are estimated at 350.00 o This includes insurance, mowing, room hire and SLOG membership - This sum is to be met from memberships and, we hope, Apple Day 2021 Jacqueline Smith, Treasurer, COGS March 2021