COGS
Community Orchard Group Sedbergh Registered Charity 1173754
Annual Report 2025
We held five working parties in 2024, the first two in March, followed by May, August and finally in November. Thank you to everyone who supported and worked so hard. Winter pruning was taken on by Jacqueline and Steve so a big thank you to them. Grass paths are being cut rather than the whole orchard which encourages wildlife. General maintenance and tidying working party took place yesterday, again a big thank you to everyone who came to help. Thanks to Sedbergh School who reworked the bark circle and concreted in the new bench. Thanks as well to Jim and Nigel who have created a fantastic new bug hotel with a very solid roof. All the materials were donated, all we have to do now is fill it full of bug friendly items, which will keep the little creatures secure and protected.
We invited Year 5 from the Primary School to the orchard for an active science afternoon last September. We all had a great time, with the children very enthusiastic and interested. Not only did the children identify various bugs found in the bug hotel, but they also made it a dry, safe environment for creatures to hunker down over the winter months. They also heard all about the different types of apples grown in the orchard, had a tasting and decorated apples with cloves to make fun faces. The children were fascinated to learn more about pollination and the importance of various species.
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. We may have to replace two apple tree due to canker.
Apple Day was a great success, about 500kg apples making 300 litres of juice. We really appreciate all the help people give at this free event; it simply couldn't happen without them. Inside People’s Hall there was lots to do; great music from Common Ground, delicious food, children's activities, and apples identified by a member of South Lakeland Orchard Group (SLOG). In addition to this four local groups were represented, the Sedbergh Beekeepers, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Red Squirrel Group and Master Composters, and a successful raffle was held. All these activities are run by volunteers, without whom it would be impossible to put on this family friendly event. We raised just under £500 this year, which is a huge help in running the orchard so thank you for to everyone for your support. We will be changing the timing of Apple Day which takes place on Saturday 25th October this year to 12 noon until 4pm. The reason being twofold, firstly to save us hiring People’s Hall for setting up purposes on Friday night and secondly to support Half and Half who will be open from 4pm on Apple Day for a cider event, which will include tasting cider and learning how it is made.
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. Dog fouling seems to have stopped which is really good news. Hopefully the new signs have had the desired effect. 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 54 members.
Ann Parratt
Chair, COGS
COGS Community Orchard Group Sedbergh Income & Expenditure Accounts 1 Mar 2024 - 28 Feb 2025
Registered Charity 1173754
Income
Expenditure
1574.9 Carried forward 0 Orchard 206.0 564.9 Memberships 0 Improvements 0 400.0 Grants 0.00 Mowing 0 709.1 Apple Day takings 9 Coffee Morning 0.00 Donations 44.00 964.90 Interest 0.00 Other 157.0 959.19 Insurance 0 Apple Day expenses 247.4
5 SLOG membership 30.00 Room hire 10.00 444.45 2534.0 1409.3 Total income 9 Total expenditure 5 Balance 1124.74
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Balance
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Jacqueline Smith Treasurer, COGS