A plaque has been unveiled to commemorate the award of village green status to Dartmouth Community Orchard.
The Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard, who campaigned vigorously for the award, unveiled the plaque in a joint ceremony with Dartmouth Town Council last Wednesday, February 2. The ceremony, at the Ridge Hill orchard entrance, was also attended by Dartmouth Town Mayor, councillors and representatives of organisations who’ve helped the Friends secure the status.
Peter Goldstraw, of the Friends, said at the unveiling: “This award is the result of a long campaign by the Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard, and each and every one of you, and the organisations that you represent, have contributed to this success. Special mention must be made of Dartmouth Town Council, the present custodians of this historic orchard, whose enlightened attitude has made this designation possible and who’ve presented our community and visitors to our town with a splendid legacy for us and future generations to enjoy.”
Dartmouth’s community orchard is 1.3 hectares between Ridge Hill and College Way and is the last remnant of 19 orchards shown on the tithe map of the parish in 1840. It was owned by Raleigh Estate, then obtained by compulsory purchase by the Ministry of Defence. In 1993, when it was no longer needed for naval training, it was purchased by Dartmouth Town Council and there were various threats of development. The Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard was formed in 2014 and decided, with advice from the Open Spaces Society, that the best protection would be to register the land as a village green. Following changes after Dartmouth Town Council elections in May 2019 the council agreed to register the land voluntarily.
Helen Clayton, of the Open Spaces Society, was present at the unveiling. She said: “Now the orchard is registered as a village green with Devon County Council, this open space is safe for ever, and local people have rights of informal recreation here.
“The Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard, and Dartmouth Town Council, have set a splendid example to other communities, by voluntarily registering this lovely open space for all to enjoy. Registration as a green is a powerful tool because it protects land from development and encroachment.”
Helen said the society also helped the Friends of Sugary Green (near Castle Cove) to save another open space in Dartmouth by registering it as a green more than a decade ago.
She added: “Sugary Green space, which was threatened with development is, like the community orchard now, saved for ever. The Open Spaces Society is pleased to help its members rescue their green spaces, and Dartmouth certainly sets a good example to all.”
Peter Goldstraw, of the Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard, added: “The Friends are extremely grateful to the Open Spaces Society for the advice and guidance we received in the early years of this long campaign.”