FOREST School pupils from St Dubricius, in Porlock, have been helping to plant an orchard near Horner Wood on the Holnicote Estate. 

The three to five-year-olds worked with the National Trust countryside ranger team and Horner Farm tenants to plant 20 local fruit tree varieties including Dunster plums and Court of Wick apple trees.

They were taking part in a scheme set up to encourage outdoor learning experiences for young primary school students. 

Alison Oakley, deputy head teacher at St Dubricius, said: “The children in Oak Nursery and St Dubricius reception class had a fantastic time planting the fruit trees, especially to be given the opportunity to use the tools using trowels and big spades to dig.

“The weather was perfect and the children really benefited from being enabled to do the planting themselves. We really feel privileged to be asked to take part in the initiative.”

The children also saw newborn lambs up close when they were given a tour of Horner Farm’s lambing shed by farm tenant Holly Purdey. 

St Dubricius School and the National Trust have a long-standing partnership. School groups often visit the Holnicote Estate as part of their weekly Forest School outings.

Visits to the estate have included planting of a ‘legacy tree’ to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the first tree charter and being involved in annual survey work with the trust where they spotted a hazel dormouse.

Holly said: “We are hoping to build a positive partnership with St Dubricius, so that working together throughout the year allows the pupils to engage in curriculum based outdoor education on their doorstep here at the farm.

“The orchard planting was a perfect first day with the children having named their trees so in time they can return to harvest the produce.”

George Layton, National Trust volunteer ranger, said that that both the children and adults gained valuable experience from tree planting.

“The beautiful weather added to the whole experience, in addition to being involved in keeping the Somerset traditions alive.

“It is important to educate kids on how valuable trees are within the landscape and continuing to plant them for future generations,” he said.

To date, 80 fruit trees have been planted to date under Countryside Stewardship, a Government funded environmental benefits scheme. In order to preserve local heritage, the majority of varieties planted have Somerset origins.

Also in accordance with Countryside Stewardship, work on Horner Farm has included extension of woodland habitat, reseeding of fields with legume crop mixes and 700 metres of hedge laying.

Photos: Paul Camp, National Trust