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A community farm - utopian in idea? - maybe not...

.. Sunday saw the first meeting of the North Elmham Community Smallholding (NECS), a group with just this purpose in mind, on the estate of Mr Robin Don and his family, with the express intent of reclaiming one of the old orchards for the benefit of this newly formed group.

Last seen properly some 20 years ago, the acre or so of orchard (150 Bramley apple trees) had definitely suffered over time and had almost disappeared under a covering of wild Clematis and Ivy, a quick makeover was not really on the cards, hard work was definitely required.

Deciding that action was a better choice than words, organiser Mark Tasker decided "Lets forget a public meeting at which probably a lot will be said and nothing will be decided - why don't we go straight away for action and instead of a meeting just get people working on clearing the site so we can see what we have and who is keen and sympathetic to the idea."

As it turned out it was a well judged decision, some two dozen plus people of all ages turning up and giving up their Sunday for the open air delights of hard work, bonfire smoke and good honest enjoyment, including Caroline Payne (chair of the Parish Council) who was seen working away, just as hard as everyone else, clearing and burning.

The orchard has been tenured to the group by the Don's estate, with the group taking the produce for as long as they continue to work it, and the estate getting a well-managed orchard in return. There is also Old Hall Meadows onto which the NECS will shortly be introducing 9 rare breed pigs (Large Blacks) that they are obtaining from Gressenhall Museum, as well as lambs in the spring and hens and cockerels for a quick turnover.

Funding for the Co-operative is by membership and sales of produce, chutneys, jams, meat products etc, with the long term aim being to benefit the community as a whole. It is hoped that the operation will move as quickly as possible towards an ethical, organic operation using traditional methods rather than the usual intensive agriculture.

If you would like to know more please phone Mark Tasker (01362 667 209 or 07768 063 775) or look at the Community Smallholding pages on www.northelmhamvillage.org.uk for regular updates and information.