We would love to hear what you think of our various projects in the Orchard and Nature Reserve. Please share your experience of how any of our projects have affected or benefited you. Your input will help us with funding applications and fuel appreciation for our volunteers! Please also share any ideas and suggestions you have for our projects and how we can improve our services – ie suggest what sort of workshops, walks and talks you’d like in the orchard, what plants and trees you’d like to see grown and any musicians you’d love to hear play in the orchard as well as suggestions to grow and improve what we offer.
We also recognise that there may be occasions when volunteers and members of the public have concerns or grievances, so please feel free to put these on the form as well. We aim to create an environment where volunteers feel valued at work and the public feel safe, so if there is anything you are worried about, please let us know so we can address this.
Click here to submit your own feedback
Feedback received:
“A wonderful, evolving space where I have experienced great community spirit. A place to be creative through one of the workshops, where kids (and adults) can be wild, plant flowers, eat fruit from the trees and spy on bees. Or hunt for Easter eggs, sing Wassail, sip St Ives Cider, make pizza, sit around a fire and have fun with friends and family.” Melanie Uys 30/1/21
“I absolutely love it, St Ives town center is soulless and I know this as I work there but to have a haven away from the crowds for locals is amazing.” Fyna Stidwell 29/1/21
“I think this community orchard group has been a godsend for the local people. I myself have used the food share and also signed up for a guided walk and talk to find out about the trees and plants and the birds that are planted and seen in the orchard. My daughter also has been volunteering in the orchard to plant new trees and has helped around the orchard. She has very much enjoyed this. This is a wonderful opportunity for local people to be surrounded by all the beautiful nature that the orchard has brought for us. This has been very good for my mental health to have this on my doorstep. Thank u” Anita Mitchell 27/1/21
“The Community Orchard and Nature Reserve are special places within the urban maze of St. Ives. Immediately upon walking into the space, it provides a natural haven where nature and growth can be appreciated. There is a genuine community atmosphere and it offers activity for all ages, with a full range of accessible free events, from educational permaculture talks to yoga and walks, tree planting, pumpkin competitions, wassailing, apple picking and community service opportunites for young people. The Foodshare group has grown, responding to need in the local community. This is a sad reality but is indicative of the group’s wareness of the local situation. If is entirely welcoming to all age groups, it provides a safe place for young people and provides a project to which they can contribute. I take joy in the photos of these activities. Many interesting local plants are spotted, local stories and memories are shared on the community Facebook, by both young and old. Lots of people put in lots of work and many local residents are aware of the project and appreciate that work, all year round.” Mary Tincombe 27/1/21
“The community orchard is a wonderful project with some superb activities. Lovely to have this point of interactive nature for locals in St Ives. The food share group is also really fantastic. Helping with food waste & food security for the people of St Ives. As an artist who has worked on many community projects in the past I appreciate the time & effort these things take & hope that there is more to come for both my own family & all of the locals of St Ives. A huge thanks goes out to all involved.” Melissa Hampson-Smith 27/01/21
“The events and work parties held up at the orchard are so valuable to our community. When our town is at full capacity this beautiful green space is a sanctuary for local people. It is a place to relax and share ideas with friends whilst surrounded by nature.
The food share is wonderful in that it stops food (and packaging) ending up in landfill whilst helping people put a variety of food on their plates. This has been especially useful during the pandemic where many people have been struggling financially.” Lisa Arthur 27/01/21
“A valued asset to the local community where local people can come and enjoy the peace and beauty. A resource for families to meet with their community and help create a legacy for future generations through the numerous projects. Great fun.” John Tyson
“Absolutely brilliant, the orchard and nature reserve are an amazing inspiration to me, often go for a walk up there. Also attend the food share, used to work in a supermarket and was always disgusted by the amount of waste.” Elinor Hughes, 27/01/21
“The people who run it are really nice and they care about the community.
There’s always something interesting happening at the orchard and it’s just a lovely quiet place which is available to everyone. The food share is brilliant especially during lockdown for those who can’t get to the shops.” Rob Shirley 27/1/21
“A lot of good things have come from these projects they have really benefited the local all-year-round community. The food share has been a lifeline to many of the neediest in our town. The community orchard has backed and helped with fundraising for the now started new skate park and as there is nothing for our young people to do this is a massive benefit. The orchard is now one of the few spaces to get away from the tourism influx to our town and a great outdoor community space would be nice to see it expanded more adjacent land obtained.” Josette Fuller
“The Community orchard and nature reserve are an incredible grassroots project. Providing a beautiful, unique and essential Space for the community of St Ives to gather, meet like minded people and celebrate the natural world. In a town so heavily focussed on Tourism this space is a much needed escape.” Joshua Quick 27/1/21
“I think it is absolutely fabulous , the more l hear what’s going on the more l like it. My friend and l have been down only a couple of times before all the Covid , we had a fabulous time with the fun day they had, l particularly liked the wooden bee hive … lm so thrilled so many people love the community orchard, l wish l was younger to help out … good luck.” Elizabeth Beer, 26/01/21
“Community orchard is such a beautiful place to sit relax and unwind. A safe place to take my children to learn about trees/nature. Beautiful walks up ok the hills from there. Beautiful views and well maintained. Such a fantastic community place. Foodshare is fantastic! By sharing food that otherwise would be going to landfill is amazing!! Well organised and an asset to st ives.” Amy James-collins, 26/01/21
“It’s a beautiful place which has brought us such pleasure during all the lockdowns. We walk most days through the orchard and wood and we love it. We’ve attended lots of the community events and our children have had school talks there too. The one about bees was brilliant.” Miranda Farrell, 26/01/21
“All these groups are critical to the health and wellbeing of our community. They have been absolute life savers, even more so during these times of lockdowns.” Anne-Marie Tremblay, 26/01/21
“What a fantastic bunch of volunteers! They have helped the community so much. Especially through the pandemic with the food share. The orchard and nature reserve is a great green space putting on free community events for us all to enjoy such as the Easter egg hunt and food foraging talks and helping to preserve the area. I believe by having this grant it will ensure this brilliant work can continue.” Melissa Nelson, 26/01/21
“I think it’s brilliant for the local community, They do a great job of clearing the area that they have and growing new trees and fruit trees. There is always something going on for everyone to get involved with, and they try and raise as much money as they can holding charity events, not just for themselves but for any good causes that need help. Anyone can get involved and are always made welcome. Been to a couple of events myself and always enjoyed it. “ Ingrid Smith, 26/01/21
“St Ives Community Orchard is a project open to anyone within the community. As a result, it provides a centre for people and their families to take part in activities, gardening, apple picking and processing the fruit for juice and cider. These activities allow individuals to get to know each other, make friends and form the foundations of a very strong community, of which I count my blessings to be a part of. I especially look forward to celebrations at the Orchard, they are all inclusive, and working hard to be more accessible.The Nature Reserve is a very important focus, on protecting, managing and encouraging our diverse local flora, fauna and wildlife. To respect the beautiful natural world which Cornwall gifts to us, that we can then fully appreciate, and show our children. So that when the time comes, they can become caretakers of the reserve, and in turn teach their children about the beauty and importance of protecting our local wildlife habitats.The Foodshare Group, is an absolute win win situation. Food that would otherwise go to landfill, is freely available to anyone that wants it. The scheme was set up, just before the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the food was collected by people who were excited to be saving food from landfill. As the pandemic hit, it has become a lifeline to individuals and families, that don’t have any food. There are a lot of regulars that collect food, and there is always a really warm welcome. During these times, a warm welcome, some food and some random jovial chit chat with someone else collecting food, is all you need to keep the sun shining during another week of lockdown.We are exceptionally lucky to have these three projects on our doorstep. As a community we are benefiting beyond comprehension. I believe we are coping much better with the pandemic than a lot of places, who don’t have community projects like these. All of the business and volunteers that have stepped forward to support these projects, shows the wealth of generosity within our locality, and I’m so happy to be in St Ives during the pandemic.” Sarah White, 26/01/21
“I went with my daughter in law and grandchildren to a foraging event held at the Community Orchard. It was so interesting and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Josh was very knowledgable and while we were there we could see that there are lots of other things going on. We’re so lucky to have this fabulous place so close to where we live.” Amanda Stevens, 26/01/21
“The orchard is a wonderful space. it has great benefits to the local community and needs to be looked after for years to come.”
Ryan Roberts, 26/01/21
“An amazing group, help so many people in their time of need. I have needed help and they were there, did not make me feel like a beggar, treated very respectfully.” Suzanna Salter, 26/01/21
“Amazing projects. Walking around the orchard at any time of the year is wonderful, to watch everything grow and to be welcomed is what community is all about.” Christina Mabbett, 26/01/21
“As a social prescribing link worker, I find having an inclusive, accessible and reliable outdoor volunteering group such as the community orchard in St Ives invaluable. Being able to refer to the orchard helps me help patients tackle the cause of many of their problems – which include mental health difficulties, chronic illnesses and social isolation – ultimately changing their long term health and wellbeing for the better. “ – David Nathan – St Ives Stennack Surgery Social Prescriber
“The children from Nancledra school enjoyed an informative workshop at the orchard. They had a good look at the bee hives, learnt all about bees and pollination and sketched the wildflowers. The children loved the outdoor learning experience and there is so much scope for so much more cross curriculan learning. Could be great too for an after school club.” – Nancledra teacher Georgia Barker
“I have organised and held art workshops at St Ives Community Orchard teaching new creative skills using photography and printmaking which gave them confidence in creating at home. This creativity is crucial to the wellbeing of families, who can not only spend valuable time together but also be outdoors learning about nature and the landscape surrounding them. Elise Langley supported the running of my projects by being open minded, encouraging and organised. She set up the advertising for the workshops and helped with bookings, as well as helped to organize resources, budget and equipment. This ensured a well-equipped and welcoming space for participants.” – Annabel Wilkes – Self-employed Artist & Printmaker
Some of the suggestions :
- Plant share and book swap up there
- I think all the activities and groups just need more exposure.
- Keep on doing what you’re doing. More courses, events and a small, ecological learning centre would be great for when the weather is wet.
- Keep doing what you are doing, but more, expand, get more people involved, especially the youth in St Ives.
- Your doing a fantastic job, And I think getting this grant will help you out a lot.
- Maybe a tool shed or toilets.
- It’s hard to say in this pandemic what would be an improvement, I do know they try their very best
- The orchard should be used for more general community activities like the pumpkin competition for Halloween. More residents would join in.
- Keep doing what you are doing, it’s wonderful.
- I would like to see The community orchard have more local community workshops and Talks. Family events and have a space that is permanent covered over Area so there is a bad weather shelter. Apply to also buy more land next to the community orchard to expand the nature reserve. It would be nice to see the community orchard improve and green over any derelict open spaces around St Ives for natural habitat for birds bee’s an insect population. The community food share group to hold more local artist and crafts fairs fundraisers. And with support from the st Ives ruby club improve and upgrade the kitchen space there to then expand the Delivery cooked share food service.
- Foster closer relationships with the creative community within the town.
- I think the orchard is perfect however I would always appreciate more workshops.
