In 2008 the Governing Body and Leadership Team of Paget High School began discussions on making the best use of a large area of scrub land alongside the school playing field. Arising out of the discussions it was decided to apply to “Big Lottery – Local Food” for a grant to develop a Community Orchard on 3½ acres of the site. The school received notification that the application had been successful on the 24th of February 2010. The Community Orchard Project became a reality.

 

An order for fruit trees arrived from Coles Nurseries in Leicestershire in October 2010. The planting, which began in November 2010, was organised with military precision. Adult helpers from across East Staffordshire were drafted in to help students from Paget and other local schools, to plant the trees. The organisations involved included The National Forest, Burton Conservation Volunteers, Regatta Lane Allotment Association, East Staffordshire Borough Council, The Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire County Council plus many individuals who were willing to give up their time to assist. Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum, Medlar, Asian Pear, Apricot, Damson and Quince trees were planted, a total of 673 children and 15 adults planted over 400 fruit trees on the site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Friday the 19th of November 2010 all the trees were in the ground 2011 saw the official opening of the Orchard, which was held on Saturday the 16th of July 2011. Over a thousand people attended the event. The guests of honour were the Mayor of East Staffordshire, Councillor Patricia Ackroyd, and the well-known gardening author and TV Presenter, Alys Fowler, whom officially opened the Orchard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spring of 2012 saw another good display of blossom. Many visits by young children from toddler to teens were organised. An Orchard Trail for Junior School pupils was created and much enjoyed. The 0 to 5 age group, with their parents or carers, enjoyed a morning or afternoon of activities in the Orchard with lots of opportunities to learn about fruit. A storyteller was used to involve the children with stories about fruit. By the end of 2012, since opening, over three thousand people had visited the Orchard to see the trees. Most of these had been in organised parties from local schools and organisations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Autumn of 2012 the first harvest of apples was enjoyed. Boxes of apples were sent to nearby Harvest Festivals. Many of Paget’s pupils enjoyed a home grown apple and the chickens from the school farm ate the windfalls. New cordon trees were purchased to complete the row of specifically trained trees and a further dozen trees replaced those that had died throughout the year. The year was a difficult one due to the amount of wet weather, but the trees looked healthy going into winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Orchard has gone from strength to strength and by the end of 2014 we expect to have received in excess of 5000 visitors since the start of the project.

 

In 2014 the Orchard took the school's Farm under it's wing and was rebranded as the Paget High School Community Orchard and Farm. The Farm is home to ducks, chickens, bantams, turkeys, pygmy goats, ferrets and guinea pigs. During visits and events the Farm Supervisors also brings along a lovely variety of birds of prey.