2025

2025 looks like being another good year for IRARA. Now that we have finally achieved our major aim of securing the future of the Irvine Road Community Orchard with a 999 year lease on the land, we can begin in earnest to maintain it for the benefit of the local community and the wildlife of the orchard.

The orchard has always been home to a large stag beetle population, but these have declined in recent years. Building stag beetle refuges like this one will hopefully help their numbers to regenerate.

Teams of dedicated volunteers have carried out a lot of good work over the last two few years, and the orchard is looking increasingly good, especially now that the newly planted fruit trees are beginning to grow. The local community has worked hard to raise the funds to buy the land, holding a number of events as well as applying for funding from a number of funding organisations.

Orchard open days and work parties have proved very popular with the local community and there is no doubt of the enthusiasm for this priceless natural habitat and amenity.

Onward, ever upwards

The terms of our lease require us to prepare and implement an environmental maintenance plan, a long term exercise which needs to be repeated every few years, so there will be plenty to keep our volunteers busy. If you want to get involved, check out the IRARA Facebook page to keep up with events and appeals.

The spring blossom in the orchard is now well worth seeing.