Alverstone Community Orchard (left, photo with permission from Ian Boyd), Longwood Lane, Alverstone, Isle of Wight (Grid Ref SZ588851, beside National Cycle Route 23). An unknown apple variety was being overgrown by dense willow scrub on the edge of Alverstone Marshes in 1993.  It is possible the tree grew from a core thrown from the nearby trainline, now a cycle track. In 1994 the East Yar Valley Project and Alvertsone Natural History Society took grafts from the tree and planted 12 new trees of the same variety on unused roadside land. This orchard still exists but is no longer accessible. In 1995/6 a new orchard was planted with another 12 trees (half standard and dwarf) of Alverstone Apple and other IOW varieties, on an abandoned cottage garden next to the waterworks. The orchard is next to a new pond and has a number of large wooden sculptures relating to the pond and orchard – apples, pears, fish, plus picnic tables and a new fencing. Apples are left for scrumping. An annual programme of events including picnics and guided walks is starting in 2007. The new orchard is on land owned by Southern Water Ltd and has full access, open at all times. Contact: Ian Boyd, Island 2000, Venture Quays, Castle Street, East Cowes, IOW PO32 6EZ, +44(0)1983 298098, ian[at]island2000.org.uk

Cliddesden Primary School Orchard was planted with apple, pear and plum trees in March 1995 with help from the Cliddesden, Farleigh Wallop and Ellisfield Horticultural Society. Encouraged by retired headteacher and horticulturalist Peter Collett, the children in several schools in Hampshire have planted small orchards including Yateley Infant School, and schools in Tadley, Odiham and South Wonston.

Farnborough Grange Nursery Infant School Orchard lies in front of the school buildings and contains a variety of apple and pear trees which are cared for by the staff and pupils at the school. It has been used for Apple Day and Tree Dressing celebrations and used as part of their Education for Sustainability work.

Harting Village Orchard, East Harting Farm, Harting, Petersfield. A small orchard of 0.5ha planted in 1989 amongst farmland, with 35 varieties of dessert apple as half standards. The land is owned by an individual farmer, Mr John Hoskin, and managed by a group of Trustees. Mr Hoskin hopes to give the orchard to the parish or district council for community use. There is full access on foot, and passers-by can help themselves to the fruit. Badgers and skylarks are seen, and bird boxes have been erected.  Apple Day, pruning and grafting days have been held. Contact: John Hosking, the Granary, East Harting Farm, Petersfield GU31 5LU, +44(0)1730 825414.

Hartley Wintney Community Orchard (left), Hunts Common, Hartley Wintney (eastern edge of the village). A 2ha orchard planted in 2000 on a piece of Hunts Common as a Millennium Project. The Common is on a 99 year lease to Hartley Wintney Parish Council from Hart District Council. Over a hundred trees have been planted including apples, pears, plums, cherries, quince, mulberry, medlar, crab apple, walnut and hazel. Hampshire varieties include the apples Easter Orange, Benedin Early, Miller’s Seedling, Bramshott Rectory, Royal Snow, Hamledon Deux Ans, Howgate Wonder, Box Apple, Beauty of Hants, Sir John Thornycroft and King George, plus Pond’s Seedling and Godshill Blue plums. The orchard in time will contain twenty Hampshire varieties.  The orchard is in three sections: one of cultivated fruit from Roman times to the Millennium, one with apple trees from twenty countries, and a third area contains eleven varieties of hazel. Mixed rootstocks have been used. There is full public access. With Hunts Common to the south and west, farmland to the east and houses to the north. No chemicals are used and the orchard is managed for wild life and people. Wildflowers are being planted, bird boxes erected and the surrounding hedgerows of hawthorn, blackthorn are being left untouched. The grass was originally cut for hay once a year but the number of community events held there have led to it being cut more regularly. Informal surveys suggest an increase in biodiversity with more wildflowers and the number of species of butterflies and moths. The orchard now has seats, an interpretive board, litter bins and a living willow arch supporting trained apple trees. Wassailing with the Hook Eagle Morris Men, a barbecue and bar has been held since 2001. Butterfly Day, an Open Air Theatre since 2004 and a Jazz Picnic to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2002 (which has become an annual event) have also been held in the orchard, and Apple Day in the local halls. Contact: Pat Vaughan, Hartley Wintney parish Council office, Appleton Hall, West Green Road, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire RG27 8RE

TWIG - Tongham Wood Community Orchard, off Garbetts Way, Aldershot. An orchard of 50 standard apple, plum, pear and cherry trees was planted by TWIG, the Tongham Wood Improvement Group in January 2005. The nearby estate were built where there was once large orchards, and the streets are named after apples: Grieve Close, Bleinham Close, Ellison Way, Russet Close, Lambourne Way. The area was being used for illegal dumping, and TWIG removed three trailer loads and nine skips of rubbish when clearing. Varieties include Blemheim Orange from Hampshire, Howgate Wonder from the Isle of Wight, Rosemary Russet from neighbouring Surrey/Middlesex. A footpath has been resurfaced using a grant from Awards for All, and the group hope to plant more fruit trees, create seating and plant nectar and food plants for butterflies. Contact: Tony Anderson at Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on +44(0)1252 331353 or w.tony.anderson[at]hants.gov.uk

The Vyne, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9HL, +44(0)1256 883858 - a National Trust property which has a one and a half acre orchard with local and Hampshire varieties in the grounds and fruit trees in the walled garden. The fruit is used in the cafe for puddings, cakes etc. Contact Marcus Chilton-Jones, head gardener, for more information and about their Apple Day in October.

West Park Meadow, off West Park Lane, Damerham. A small apple orchard planted in 2004 on a piece of unmanaged land belonging to the new Forest District Council. The land runs alongside the River Allen and between the gardens of two streets, the High Street and West Park Lane.  Responsibility for the meadow and orchard by a management committee formed from the Parish Council. Varieties include the Harry Baker crab apple planted by Harry Baker himself, the well respected apple expert. Benches have been installed. Some willow has been coppiced while goat, crack and white willows are left to grow. Native trees and shrubs have are being planted and the grass is being cut and removed regularly in order to create a meadow. There is full access and the aim is to create an orchard and meadow for the whole community to enjoy.  Apple Day is celebrated every year plus river dipping in the adjacent river Allen, and guided walks and talks. Contact: Forest Paget, Penny Black, High Street, Damerham, Hampshire, +44(0)1725 518454, forest.paget[at]ntlworld.com