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VLHT NEWS
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News from 2024
Growing relationships: VLHT, Worcestershire County Council, and Severn Waste Services
Plum blossom on a mature fruit tree
Our newest orchard (Atch Lench)
Marbled White butterflies (Melanargia galathea) in one of our wildflower meadows
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Worcestershire County Councillor Richard Morris, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment has given his support to the events which Vale Landscape Heritage Trust (VLHT) has undertaken to celebrate 25 years since the formation of the Trust and 20 years of support from the Council’s Waste Management Contractor, Severn Waste Services.
The Trust now has over 365 acres of land which it is protecting for the benefit of Worcestershire residents in the Evesham / Pershore area, near to the Hill and Moor Landfill site which is operated by Severn Waste. The celebratory events have enabled eleven local councillors to see the work being done by the Trust. Richard said “I am very grateful to the Trust for this opportunity, not only to see but to get involved in their vital work, protecting and enhancing our local environment. What they have achieved via the excellent support of Severn Waste Services over the last 20 years is something unique in this Country and we in Worcestershire should be very proud of it. I am especially pleased to hear of this work as the Council looks to establish its Local Nature Recovery Strategy”. Gary Farmer of VLHT said “We are grateful for Councillor Morris’ interest in what we have achieved and his recognition of the enduring benefit that our work gives. Severn Waste’s support continues to be essential to us and we are immensely grateful for their on-going commitment to us”. Jim Haywood of Severn Waste Services said “The critical work of VLHT in protecting and enhancing the environment for the people of not only the Pershore and Evesham area but all those who visit from further afield is exemplary, a true local effort, for and by the people of the area”. The Councillors involved in our celebration tree planting events: County Councillor Richard Morris, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment County Councillor Linda Robinson, Vice-Chair of Planning and Regulatory Committee County Councillor Rob Adams District Councillor Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon District Council District Councillor Judith Ciotti District Councillor Hannah Robson Parish Councillor Helen Quigley-York Parish Councillor Jim Haywood Parish Councillor Anne Howarth Town Councillor Richard Grantham, Mayor of Pershore Town Councillor Julie Tucker |
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2024 marks 25 years of Vale Landscape Heritage Trust and 20 years of partnership working with Severn Waste Services. |
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20 fruit trees for 20 years of partnership working.
We are planting 20 Celebration Fruit Trees to celebrate our 20 years of partnership working with Severn Waste Services. This has started at Naunton Court Orchard in January 2024 and more details can be found here.
News from 2023
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Wildlife Artist donating to VLHT
November 2023 - A talented Worcestershire artist has been selling some of his wildlife art to help raise funds for VLHT. Kevin McGee has studied wildlife most of his life and this shows in the detail of his paintings. Some examples of his artwork are shown below along with prices.
The pictures are approximately A4 in size and are available as originals or prints. I you are interested in purchasing one of Kevin's wonderful paintings please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will put you in touch with the artist.
The pictures are approximately A4 in size and are available as originals or prints. I you are interested in purchasing one of Kevin's wonderful paintings please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will put you in touch with the artist.
Jumping spider Attulus pubescens
All artworks by Kevin McGee
Originals Peacock £225 (Framed) Small Tortoiseshell £225 (Framed) Jumping spider Attulus pubescens £225 (Framed) Black-clouded Longhorn Beetle Leiopus nebulosus £180 (Unframed) Anaglyptus mysticus £180 (SOLD) Wasp beetle Clytus arietis £180 (Unframed) Nb. Both framed butterflies bought as a pair are £400 Prints All prints are £20 each plus P&P. All have been produced to the highest standard on a high quality surface by Bridgenorth Print Services (Please note; no prints are available of Clytus arietis) 15% of sales will be donated to Vale Landscape Heritage Trust (Registered Charity 1080109) |
Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis
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Celebrating 40 years of the Blossom Trail
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In search of the first blossom of Spring
2023 marks the 40th year of the Blossom Trail and so much has changed since 1983. Large areas of orchard have been removed to make way for more profitable crops or development, but there is still a mass of wonderful blossom to see around the Vale and beyond. On the first of April 2023 we were joined by the wonderful artist Adebanji Alade as we searched for the first blossom of the season. The whole thing was filmed for BBC's One Show and was shown on 11th April 2023. The first blossom marks the transition from winter to spring, and the day showed this perfectly; grey skies and a river in flood as a backdrop to the beautiful white blossom - perfect. |
Adebanji Alade painting the first blossom near the river Avon 01.04.23
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SAVE OUR BLOSSOM -
Imagine a spring without blossom.
More orchards are being lost each year, making our old orchrds ever more special. Please help us to continue our work, become a Friend of Vale Landscape Heritage Trust
Thank You
Imagine a spring without blossom.
More orchards are being lost each year, making our old orchrds ever more special. Please help us to continue our work, become a Friend of Vale Landscape Heritage Trust
Thank You
NEWS from 2022
Malvern Autumn Show and Naunton Court Orchard apple juice
Our apple juice won third prize at the Malvern Autumn Show 2022
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At the 2022 Malvern Autumn Show, our apple juice won third place in the commercial juices competition. This is great news as it our first attempt at producing apple juice. The apples are Worcester Pearmain and were picked from our beautiful old orchard at Naunton Beauchamo by volunteers.
We also had a stand at the show with information about VLHT as well as a collection of heritage apples for people to see. Over 2,500 varieties of apple have been raised in the UK yet three quarters of all apples sold in the country of of just two or three varieties. We were able to gather together 75 different varieties from the Bloody Ploughman to the Winter Banana, to highlight the diversity of shapes, colours, textures and tastes. It was lovely to meet so many interested and interesting people over the weekend. 
Our apple display at the Malvern Autumn Show 2022
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Common Blue
Small Heath
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2022 - A Bumper Butterfly Year
Butterflies have had a fantastic year at some of our sites in 2022. At North Littleton Community Orchard some species did especially well. Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small, Large and Essex Skippers, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Marbled White were all seen in good numbers. The site is allowed to grow wild with just a few areas cut regularly, some areas grazed and others just cut late in the year. We also leave the edges and top corner uncut. This reduced management approach has encouraged an increase in the variety of wildflower species and makes the site ideal for butterflies and other insects, all of which struggle to survive in an intensively managed landcsape. |
Large Skipper
Marbled White
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Fire at Hipton Hill Orchards
During the heat wave of July/August 2022 many fires were reported from around the county. We thought we had escaped without any problems until 14th August when someone decided to try to set fire to Hipton Hill Orchards! Our neighbours spotted the fire straight away and the damage was limited to a very small area thanks to the quick response from the Fire Service. |
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Damage to gates in the Littletons
We have an ongoing problem with vandals breaking down gates in the Littletons. In August 2022 our gate at North Littleton Community Orchard was trashed again. In the last two years, this gate has been destroyed three times and the gate to Littleton Meadows has been broken down twice. Not sure what makes people want to do this but it takes time and money to repair. Time and money that could be spent doing something positive. |
Members of Evesham u3a enjoying a carpet of orchids at Hipton Hill Orchards
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A Blooming good year for orchids
2022 was an excellent year for our orchids. Common Spotted, Bee, Pyramidal, Greater Butterfly and Twayblade all bloomed well this year. Greater Butterfly Orchids had a particularly good year at Hipton, with over 2,500 in bloom. It is very difficult to know what makes a good orchid year; winter weather, grazing regimes, mowing times, summer weather, all play their part. Hopefully 2023 will be just as good, or even better. |
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Our video about pollinators and other wildlife in orchards is now available.
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Vale Blossom Trail
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A modern commercial orchard - Thatchers.
It is hoped that 60 varieties of apples will be planted in the orchard trials.
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140 acres of neat 'hedgerow' cider-apple orchard
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Wildflower margins benefit pollinating insects and other wildlife
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