Neglected orchards to be given cash boost (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Neglected orchards to be given cash boost

8:20am Saturday 19th January 2013 in Local

NEGLECTED orchards in Worcestershire can now be restored with a helping hand from a newly available grant.

Worcestershire County Council are offering the grants, of up to £500 per hectare, following a £15,000 award from Natural England.

Voluntary organisations, schools, community groups or private landowners can apply for the grants to help restore the county’s traditional orchards, using the money to pay for work such as tree pruning or planting.

The county currently contains 12 percent of traditional orchards, which are those managed without the use of chemical pesticides or herbicides, in the country.

These orchards often have huge value for wildlife, supporting rare species such as the Noble Chafer Beetle and Mistletoe Marble Moth.

All work undertaken as a result of the grant must take place by December 2013.

For more information contact Rebecca Lashley on 01905 766852 or rlashley@worcestershire.gov.uk for more information.