The Wealden Community Orchard Fund provides capital grants to support local community groups in creating, restoring and enhancing community orchards.
Open to community organisations, charities, schools and councils, the fund enables accessible green spaces that benefit both people and nature, supporting biodiversity, climate resilience, community wellbeing and opportunities for outdoor learning.
The fund was created to support community-led green spaces that bring people together, strengthen connections with nature and enhance biodiversity across the district. The programme also offered a practical way to respond to local challenges, including social isolation, biodiversity loss and the need to build greater community resilience to climate change.
In November 2023, we were awarded £27,756 through the Nature for Climate Fund: Coronation Living Heritage Fund to support the development of community orchards. Round One funded 14 community orchards, working with 11 community groups and local organisations across Wealden. These projects demonstrated how orchards can support tree planting and environmental stewardship, while creating shared spaces where communities can celebrate local heritage, grow food and take collective action for nature.
Building on this success, and growing interest in local food growing, nature recovery and community action, Round Two opened in November 2025. Fully funded by Wealden, the second round continues this work, helping communities develop and care for orchards across the district.
The Community Orchard Fund aims to help communities create, restore and enhance shared orchard spaces that are accessible, inclusive and environmentally sustainable. By bringing people together around a shared local asset, the fund supports communities to shape, use and care for orchards as part of their heritage, combining environmental action, biodiversity and community wellbeing.
The fund is open to residents of all ages and backgrounds, as well as community organisations, charities, schools and town and parish councils across Wealden. It creates opportunities for outdoor activity, shared learning, social connection, food growing and greater engagement with nature.
Key outcomes include increased biodiversity through tree planting and habitat creation, stronger resilience to climate change and improved wellbeing through greater access to green space and nature-based activities. Projects also aim to strengthen community connections and establish long-term stewardship of orchard sites, encouraging people to stay involved through education, volunteering and seasonal activities. Together, these activities help create thriving, shared spaces that benefit both people and nature for years to come.
The parish council has created a welcoming, accessible space where residents and visitors can relax, learn and connect with nature. Located alongside the neighbouring allotments, the orchard also supports local climate resilience through diverse planting and improved soil and water management.
Hellingly Parish Council received £3,705 to establish the orchard. The orchard features 30 fruit and nut trees, including apple, cherry, damson, filbert, gage, mulberry, pear, plum and walnut varieties. Carefully selected for local conditions, the diverse planting provides seasonal interest and valuable habitat for wildlife.
Community planting events saw residents and site users actively involved in shaping the space. Its proximity to the allotments has strengthened its role as a shared community asset, creating opportunities for informal learning, skill-sharing and continued involvement.
The project has enhanced biodiversity, strengthened community participation and improved ecological resilience through species diversity and healthier soil. It also provides a valuable space for relaxation, education and connecting with nature in a changing climate.
The Crematorium team have created a peaceful community orchard, enhancing biodiversity while giving visitors a meaningful way to connect with nature and building on the site’s existing care and stewardship.
The project received £3,175 in funding, supporting the purchase of eight fruit trees, tree protection materials, a water butt, bench and signage. The orchard includes apple, plum and pear varieties carefully selected for the site’s conditions, providing ecological value throughout the year.
A well-attended wassail brought together Crematorium staff, Heathfield’s Men’s Shed volunteers, local residents and members of the Union Church in Heathfield.
The project has created a welcoming green space, increased habitat and biodiversity, and provides visitors with a calm, reflective environment better prepared for future climate conditions.
Looking ahead, the orchard will provide opportunities for community events around growing and harvesting seasons, with fruit shared with local users of the site.
Located on the Wadhurst Park Estate, this orchard has enhanced an established community space, supporting biodiversity, improving climate resilience and creating more opportunities for local people to connect with nature.
Mayfield and Five Ashes Community Services received £1,340 to improve the existing orchard. Funding supported the purchase of fruit trees, equipment, signage and refreshments for community celebration events.
Nine new fruit trees were planted, each a different variety, including Sussex and heritage apple trees. The nearby Men’s Shed group, who share the site, crafted the tree labels, adding a practical and collaborative element to the project.
Set alongside a community garden, beehives and workshop space, the orchard forms part of a well-used, multi-purpose space shaped by local involvement. It offers opportunities for food growing, learning and informal activity.
The project has increased community participation, enhanced biodiversity and habitat creation, improved access to green space and strengthened community connections.
This forms part of a wider community open space created on land purchased for local use. The accessible site provides opportunities for residents to relax, learn, connect with nature and enjoy recreational activities. It comprises of three linked areas, including an open space, community garden and recreation area, with a further area of established planting.
The association received £3,205 to support the orchard’s establishment, funding 40 fruit and nut trees alongside essential tree protection materials. The diverse planting includes quince, medlar, fig, mulberry and cobnut varieties, providing seasonal interest, food and valuable habitats for wildlife.
Extensive community engagement helped identify activities and features valued by a wide demographic of residents, shaping both the orchard and wider site. A well-supported community planting event enabled residents to actively establish the orchard as a shared asset.
The project has enhanced biodiversity, ecological resilience and soil health while creating an inclusive space for relaxation, recreation, education and connection with nature.
They have enhanced an established, community-led green space that includes a thriving orchard, wildflower garden and forest school area. Together, these spaces support biodiversity, environmental learning and local engagement, while improving access to nature.
The orchard is managed with local volunteers and a nearby primary school, forming part of an environment that supports education, wellbeing and community activity.
A total of £7,281 has funded a diverse range of fruit and nut trees, including apple, plum, pear, cherry, quince, damson, greengage and cobnut. Funding has also supported tools and equipment, water capture and storage systems, community event refreshments and wildlife features, strengthening biodiversity and climate resilience.
Volunteers and pupils have helped with planting, maintenance and seasonal activities. Wassailing, Blossom Day and Apple Days provide opportunities to learn about orchard management, food growing, traditional practices and wildlife.
The project has increased community participation, improved access to green space and strengthened habitat creation.
The fund has awarded £35,000 to 13 organisations, supporting orchards as shared heritage and inclusive green spaces. The Community Orchard Network enables groups to share knowledge, experience and support. Together, the programme is strengthening biodiversity, climate resilience and wildlife habitats, while creating lasting opportunities for communities to connect with nature, grow food, build relationships and improve wellbeing across the district.