Organised to tie in with a programme of activities to celebrate Stalybridge as Town of Culture in 2022, local community organisation Operation Farm is offering the chance to discover and learn more about Stalybridge’s fruit trees on their “Lost Trees Walk” on Friday 9th September.

‍
Starting in central Stalybridge, the route will take in some well-known trees as well as some that are likely to go mostly unnoticed; local residents will probably be aware of the community orchard in the popular Cheetham Park, but they might not be so familiar with a few very old trees in a partially overgrown orchard in the Gorse Hall estate dating back to the 1830’s.

‍
“This year looks set to be a bumper harvest for apples due to the warm spring.” said local cider expert Rob Muir who has curated and will be leading the walk, “It’s a great time for local people to get to know the fruit trees in their midst and we hope to provide some interesting insights into their histories and share what we know about some of these wonderful trees.”

‍
The walk will bring together the experience and expertise of people who have been involved with these trees in various ways: Rob has been harvesting some of them for many years for the Abundance Tameside project and ecologist Sam Bolton from Greater Manchester Ecology unit surveyed the Gorse Hall trees as part of an orchard restoration project.

‍
“It’s a unique opportunity to learn about these trees and see them in a new way.” said Anna Seward, who is leading the project. “We hope that through this project we will draw attention to the town’s fruit trees, share collective knowledge about them and spread appreciation of what they bring to local places with their histories, ecological value and harvests.”

‍
The Lost Trees project is also plotting Stalybridge’s fruit trees via an online map and recording a podcast about fruit tree culture and heritage and local trees.

‍

‍
Anna adds; “This project could be a starting point for conversations and ideas leading to community activities centred on fruit trees. There are lots of possibilities for people to come together to harvest and cook fruit, and plant, look after and celebrate the town’s fruit trees if there is enthusiasm locally.”
‍

Registration for the walk is free but due to its length and some uneven, hilly sections, it isn’t suitable for everyone; check the detailed information online at www.operationfarm.org.uk or on Facebook @OperationFarm. Places on the walk are limited though!

‍
For enquiries and pictures contact Anna Seward – 07838262957, anna@operationfarm.org.uk

‍