About St Anns Community Orchard
An urban oasis in the heart of the city, St Ann's Community Orchard is here for everyone.
St Anns Community Orchard Description
St Anns Community Orchard was set up by STAA in 2001 to demonstrate the use for what were overgrown plots head high in brambles. Cleared and planted by local people and school children a space was created for everyone to play, learn, relax and explore.
Now it is a lively hub for the community, centered on local children and families. We have ponds, stream, fire pits, 100 fruit trees, vegetable-growing areas, rich wildlife and lots of other magical spaces and child-friendly nooks and crannies to explore. The site has disability access and toilet
On the third Sunday of every month we hold an activity day. The day is free and open to all. There is a campfire to gather around, opportunities to see neighbours and make new friends. Free refreshments include homemade soup, tea and coffee, squash for the children and popcorn freshly made on the fire. Each month a different environmental arts and crafts workshop is available for children to attend.
Every Thursday in the school holidays we run open access adventure play sessions for children aged 5 – 13. Activities include den building, orienteering, use of tools, imaginative role play, and creative environmental arts and crafts.
There are opportunities to grow and harvest produce, cook on an open fire and in an earth oven. Children can also discover and explore the natural environment through mini-beast hunting and pond-dipping. The scheme encourages physical activity in the fresh air, where children can relax from the stresses of inner city life and meet other children in a supported, friendly environment. Parents are asked to ensure that children taking part are wearing suitable clothing for the outdoors
Essentially, we provide a hint of wildness and countryside adventure in a safe and accessible space in the heart of the city.
Reviews
Come to the Orchard this Sunday! Get cosy around the fire, get crafty with a kids' workshop, see the beautiful Autumn colours! 11am - 4pm FREE
Come and make some pizza this Sunday!
Adventure play session tomorrow 12 -3pm. Arts and crafts, den building, bug hunting, exploring, water play and much more. Come and scrunch about in the Autumn leaves, forecast say the sun will be shining in the afternoon!
Come along this Sunday for our Apple Day! Leo will be pressing apples to make fresh juice and has lots of apples to taste. Wendy has been very busy baking loads of different apple cakes. There will be games and an arts and crafts workshop. Looking forward to it!
Our next activity day Sunday 18th September. Thinking to make soup from the beetroot we have grown in the garden ... Is that a good idea? Let me know your thoughts and other suggestions.
The final Adventure play session for the summer at the Orchard tomorrow from 12. Come along pick blackberries and make a fresh fruit smoothie! Wendy will be running a workshop making frisbees and other crafty items. The space will be open until 3pm for exploring, relaxing and lots more.
It is PIZZA day at the Community Orchard. We are firing up the cob oven this morning, so come along from 12 and make yourself an individual pizza with your fave toppings! Jules is doing an arty crafty workshop and we are having a messy kitchen area, dens, whitling, orienteering and lots more! Can't wait!
The weather is looking good for tomorrows adventure play 12 - 3pm!! Matt will be bringing a pedal powered sound system AND pedal powered scalextric, so come along for a boogie and workout! There will also be clay world, arts and crafts, den building, scavenger hunts ... plus the whole site to explore. Bring a picnic and your friends!
Adventure play tomorrow 12 - 3pm. We will be making fresh fruit smoothies and Joyce will be doing an ace arty workshop Photos from last week below. Many thanks to the Renewal Trust for funding all the fun!!
Adventure play session this Thursday 28th July, 12 - 3pm!! Come exploring at the Orchard, there will be arts and crafts, den building, whitling, fresh snacks from our new vegetable garden and lots more. The first of our Thursday summer play sessions so if you can't make it tomorrow just come the following week!
We have an activity day this Sunday! Go bug-hunting, build a den or just chill! 11am - 4pm
Ooops, with just two and a half hours left to go of the day... the prime time to advertise that we are open today! Sorrty!