The Sedbergh Community Orchard Initiative launched its summer maintenance weekend this morning, bringing together local residents and environmental volunteers to prune trees, clear competing vegetation, and install protective fencing around native apple and damson varieties.
Project leaders noted that preserving traditional orchard sites helps protect rare heritage fruit species while creating vital habitats for pollinators and wild birds across the fells edge.
Community workshops teaching traditional fruit preservation, cider pressing, and orchard management are scheduled to run alongside the physical conservation days throughout August.