New Fairfield orchard

Residents help plant trees to create a new orchard at Fairfield

We are very lucky at Fairfield to have a wonderful garden for residents to enjoy and now we are all looking forward to watching our new orchard take shape. University College Oxford (UNIV) has an orchard beyond the Fairfield orchard; both have been there for many years. Some trees needed to be removed to make way for new trees so a decision was made to plant new fruit trees with a circular pathway to make it easier for Fairfield residents to walk through the orchard. As part of the complete refurbishment of the orchard, the old walls were repaired and a new mixed hedge was planted around it.

Once cleared of the original old trees and the ground prepared for the new ones, some of our residents who are keen gardeners were able to help with the planting. A bit like the Queen, they had a spade to pop some soil around the roots!

One resident planted an apple tree in memory of his late wife and Fairfield staff organised a special little ceremony where he was able to say a few words and dedicate a plaque. He will be able to remember her every day at this special place where he can watch the tree grow.

The new orchard has a wide path suitable for mobility walkers and wheelchairs that is nice and smooth and safe for residents to walk and to sit on the benches awhile, listening to the bird song, enjoying the fresh air and just being outside.