The Meadow & Orchard Today

THE MEADOW AND ORCHARD TODAY

Bredfield Jubilee Madow and Orchard is a prized community asset. Local people visit the meadow and orchard to experience the wildflowers and butterflies, to find a quiet retreat, and join with the events that take place there.

Each June, a guided Wildflower Walk is organised. This walk helps residents engage with the special array of flora and fauna which is to be found in the meadow. Laurie Forsyth, from the Suffolk Flora Preservation Society has described Bredfield Jubilee Madow and Orchard as “a natural history treasure that has survived into the 21st century”.  Over 100 species of flora have been identified in the meadow. If you come in spring and early-summer, you’ll find a splendid spread of yellow, white, purple and red flowers. Southern Marsh Orchids create a purple haze and, if you look closely, you will spot the delicate pink bloom of Grass Vetchling. With such an abundance and biodiversity of flora, an array of insect-life is attendant. Butterflies to be seen include: Comma, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Common Blue, Large Skipper and Essex Skipper. As you may expect, it’s a haven for bees too.

More details of the flora and fauna to be found in the meadow are provided on the Bredfield Wildlife-friendly Village website. There you will find a gallery of photographs, identification guides to the species to be found, and lists of recorded species.  You will also find guides to the meadow’s fauna and flora in the shelter.

An orchard wouldn’t be a proper orchard without an apple pressing event. We hold an Apple Juicing Day each autumn, when residents who have an apple crop can bring along fruit and use our equipment to make delicious juice. Those without apples are welcome to turn up to help and join in the fun. Apples from our orchard are also harvested and used for pressing. It’s a great community and family event. In addition, an indoor ‘Cooking with Orchard Fruits’ has been organised – with scrumptious results!

Annually, Bredfield Jubilee Meadow and Orchard has received the Community Award from the Green Flag organisation.

Bredfield Jubilee Meadow and Orchard requires an amount of annual maintenance work: the pathway needs mowing; encroaching hedgerows require cutting back; orchard trees need pruning; and the shelter requires occasional repairs and a coat of wood-sealant.  All this work is done by volunteers. If you would like to help, please contact Stewart Belfield at Bredfieldwfv@gmail.com.

There would be no meadow without a mowing.  Each year the meadow is expertly ‘topped’ by a tractor from Suffolk Wildlife Trust.