Sensory Garden
At the heart of the PARC lies the ever-evolving Sensory Garden with benches, flowers, spring bulbs, a bog garden, a woven willow hedge, fruit trees, a summerhouse and some stunning views.
Volunteers have been developing the Sensory Garden since 2021 and we now have:
over 350 trees – including fruit trees
6 benches with a trellis of scented climbers
2 picnic tables
a summerhouse with water capture and storage
a bog garden
a wildlife area made by KLB Horticultural Group
a woven willow hedge made by Volunteers
2 sturdy mud kitchens made by Mens Sheds
a soft fruit garden
a snowdrop trail
and we plan to add:
accessible pathways
a checker board patio of brick, slab, gravel, plant and a fire pit
a wildlife pond
raised beds for flowers and vegetables
a willow tunnel and dens
a water stand pipe
And eventually we plan to develop on through to a children’s playground just next door.
We work in the Garden every Wednesday morning from 9.30 to 12.30, so do come and join us if you can.
Wotton Community Orchard
A community orchard has been planted in the PARC by the Wotton Community Orchard Group.
The intention of the Community Orchard is to offer people in Wotton and surrounding areas the opportunity to explore and appreciate trees and nature. Fruit trees are a good choice because we can eat the fruit directly from the tree which gives the opportunity to deepen our connection with nature, as well as appreciate their beauty as they grow. This connection can be strengthened over time by activities that celebrate the seasons: enjoying the blossom in spring; the shade in summer; harvesting, eating and juicing in the autumn; and pruning and wassailing in the winter.
Get involved
The group is open to anyone in the Wotton and surrounding area and is free to join. Follow this link to a sign up http://eepurl.com/gUEl5z or contact mattcadams@outlook.com and ask to be added to the mailing list.
Meet the varieties
Apples
Ashmead’s Kernel – An excellent dessert apple. Gloucestershire’s most famous apple started in 1700 but not recognised much outside the county for nearly 300 years after its birth.
Carol’s Red’s – Excellent quality, bittersweet cider apple. This apple was found growing in Shepperdine and was found to make excellent cider. We don’t know the name of the apple so it was named after the woman whose orchard they were found in – Carol and the fact they were red.
Foxwhelp – A bitter sharp cider apple grown widely in Gloucestershire and Hereford dating back to around 1600.
Hagloe Crab – A highly regarded vintage cider variety possibly started as early as 1620 in the hamlet of its name near Awre. Years ago its cider could be `exchanged barrel for barrel for spiritous liquor’. Also a good cooking apple.
Katy – Bright red heavy cropper. Sweet/acid, firm and juicy. Best known as a dessert apple, but is used commercially as a sweet cider apple too. Kingston Black Somerset – Ck One of the best known vintage cider varieties, medium bittersharp. Somerset 19th century.
Longney Russet – An old general purpose variety from the village of its name. Mentioned in 18th Century literature. Stores very well
Pears
Blakney Red – The most common perry pear which can also be stewed. Also used to dye soldiers’ khaki uniforms. Very reliable, heavy cropper. Comice – Medium/large yellow fruit often with a red flush, rich juicy flavour, grow with Concorde for reliable pollination, 19th century. Conference – Reliable cropper, excellent flavour, self-fertile, Hertfordshire 19th Century.
Ecology
One of the cornerstones of our site development has been increasing the diversity of ecology on the site. We’ve planted over 6,000 trees on the site to create a number of wildlife corridors, created a second wildlife pond as part of the drainage works, and have begun creating a fruit tree orchard and wildflower areas.
We’ve been delighted to see a huge variety of wildlife on the site, with birds, bees, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and toads, deer, foxes and badgers all making an appearance at various times.
Forest School
At Wotton Community Parc, we feel privileged to host the wonderful students from Kingswood Primary School for their forest school sessions. Seeing the children across all year groups embrace nature and outdoor learning brings us immense joy.
Our park provides the perfect setting for den building, fire cooking, whittling with penknives, and exploring the vibrant world around them. These hands-on activities enrich their educational experience while fostering a deep appreciation for the environment.
Being surrounded by so much green space does wonders for the wellbeing of the children and staff alike. As one student exclaimed, "Forest School is great, we get to play with our friends, jump in puddles and get muddy!" Another remarked in awe, "Seeing a shrew running about was incredible, I hadn't seen one before they move fast!"
Witnessing their unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity renews our commitment to preserving this natural haven. We take pride in providing an outdoor classroom where young minds can learn, discover, and simply be kids immersed in nature's embrace.
The forest school sessions remind us of the importance of protecting these environments, so many more children can experience the same sense of wonder. We feel lucky to partner with Kingswood Primary in nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.
