Abergwili Community Orchard Bears Fruit

Abergwili community orchard has officially opened following a real team effort from villagers, both young and old.

Community Mentor and artist Biddy Richards had originally intended to simply find a bit of ground to do something with the Merlin Youth Club; make a bench, have a raised flower bed and possibly a bit of art work. When she approached the Community Council, Chair Neil Lewis said that he had already applied for a grant to plant some trees and suggested they work together and do something bigger.

Local woodcarver Jack Morris offered to help make the bench and Youth club started doing some research into the history of the plot: the farm that was originally on the plot, the toll house and other historical facts about the village. From there the project grew and grew.

They planted 40 Welsh fruit trees, installed a water hand-pump, and used an RDP Sir Gâr Landscape and Heritage Grant to build a Gaudi bench, 3 carved oak benches and a heritage totem pole. Both Youth Club and the Abergwili Primary School were involved in the making of the badges and emblems of the clubs and societies in the village that went on the Gaudi bench.

The community plan to continue developing the site for the whole village to enjoy. Biddy said: “Youth club really enjoyed researching for the project in the museum and finding out facts from family, friends and other members of the community. The next thing that they will be working on will be a time capsule and I hope there will always be something going on that the whole community can get involved in.”

The project was supported by the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, Cwm Environmental and RDP Sir Gâr’s Cryfhau Cymunedau project, part of the Innovative Hubs project. RDP Sir Gâr is funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 – 2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Neil Lewis said “Biddy and Jack have been indefatigable. Everyone has worked so hard, but we would like give a special mention to Barry at Peniel Garage and Neil Olufsen who brought diggers, Mathew at Jewson’s, John Francis who donated the Gwili Valley oak and regulars Martin, Paul, Claire and Joey.”