Poetry needed for Swaffham Community Orchard’s lunar planting

Budding poets of all ages are being asked to write some verse for a special tree planting ceremony at Swaffham Community Orchard.

After a big push to clear the site in November, orchard volunteers have been meeting at the site, near Northwell Pool, every week to prepare the land.

About 400 trees will be planted on Friday, February 18 in a special lunar planting event which the whole community can attend.

The planting event will include a candlelight poetry recital and organisers are looking for some verse, poetry or prose about the orchard, the countryside, community or any aspect of Swaffham life, past or present.

All the winning poems will be read on air at Wayland Radio and will be printed on posters to promote working being done at the orchard.

Entries can be emailed to Wayland Radio studio@waylandradio.com or posted to The Stables, Swaffham Road, Ashill, Thetford, IP25 7BT and must be received by Tuesday at the latest.

As well as an organic orchard with up to 2,000 trees, the project’s steering group hopes to create a network of accessible footpaths, cycle routes and an eco-friendly building to be used for workshops and training.

There are also plans to plant a selection of nut trees, a community vineyard and a bluebell wood.

The lunar planting, with live folk music, will be held at the site from 7pm next Friday.

For more information, call Mark Keddie on 07919 492241 or Kate Francis at Swaffham Town Council on 01760 722922.