Iona Orchard is a nature reserve located between Bournville Road and Iona Close, not far from Catford Station. It is part-owned by L&Q Housing Association and part by Lewisham Council. Since it was 'rediscovered' in 2012 both the Council and local volunteers have been working to maintain it sensitively as a nature reserve whilst simultaneously saving the few veteran fruit trees on the site and restoring the orchard by planting new fruit trees of traditional varieties, with the help of the Urban Orchard Project.
Yesterday Nature's Gym ran one of their regular volunteer sessions in Iona Orchard and, on a beautiful Spring day, attracted a diverse group of some 20 people. In a 3hr session (with tea break, thank goodness!) we managed to clear ivy and undergrowth in the centre of the site, to give the new fruit trees the best chance to thrive, cut ivy away from some of the more established trees and cut back brambles at the lower end of the site.
Many thanks to all those who came along!
Robert Sheppard