CARHAMPTON Community Orchard marked its coming of age with a special celebration last weekend and will now be open every day for the public to enjoy.

The orchard, once one of nearly 20 in the village, was saved from building development and put in the care of a village trust in 1998 – and over 100 people turned out on Saturday to celebrate its 18th anniversary and latest improvements.

The apple trees were decked with bunting and visitors were entertained with folk music, songs, speeches and a giant apple cake.

A new picnic table and bench and two information boards were unveiled, with one of the boards being funded, along with a new fence, by a grant from County Cllr Christine Lawrence’s health and wellbeing fund.

The orchard was replanted with 35 species of apple trees when it came into the village trust, and a number of villagers have been instrumental in improvements both over the years and recently.

“We hope this will become a new focus for the village,” said Elizabeth Atkinson, who co-ordinated the opening event.

“As soon as you go through the gate, you are in another world of green leaves, green grass and glorious swelling fruit. It’s an island of peace in spite of being right next to the main road.”

Orchard founder member Keith Jones said: “It’s a happy day for those of us who have, since May 1989, worked to transform a neglected patch into this splendid haven.”

Gary Thrush, manager of Carhampton Stores, helped to unveil the picnic table and bench the store donated, and which his son Connor helped construct.

Gordon Holt, who planted many of the trees in 1998, unveiled an information board for the orchard gate, while wildlife experts Dave and Ginny Ayling, who have led the orchard’s annual moth watch since 2005, unveiled a wildlife board.

Orchard founder members Violet Cridland and Herbert Vicary unveiled the new bench and visitors also admired a chair and table made for the orchard by Bob Heredge.

Martyn Babb, who sings regularly at the orchard’s annual wassail in January, entertained visitors with songs and Brian Heaton, who played at the original opening event in 1998, had many visitors dancing with his melodeon music.

The orchard, on the main A39, will now be open all year round. Only assistance dogs are allowed in, as the ground needs to be kept clean for fruit collection. To find out more, or hear about specific orchard events, ring 01643 821756.