On 18th June, whilst I was out exploring an overgrown orchard somewhere in the 
depths of The National Forest, Pope Francis released his encyclical on climate change, Laudato Si’ in Rome with thousands of supporters for company. I found myself wondering where among a text with an international and global focus, I might find anything that I could relate to my mediocre, in comparison, community orchard project, I arrived at the following: ‘The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all’. I truly believe the provision of green spaces for the ‘common good’ creates a sense of belonging for those who use these sites increasing their sense of well-being and involvement in community activities. Through my community orchards project I hope to be able to help communities realise the positive effects on engaging with local green spaces.
So far there have been twists and turns, and ups and downs, challenges and revelations, but with everything all scrambled up together has provided some exciting and interesting times. The winter rapidly turned into spring where some amazing ‘blooming’ fruit trees appeared along hedgerows and in orchards with the promise of a bountiful supply of fruit, the grass started growing and the first wildflowers appeared. In The National Forest it is, as you can imagine, mostly about the trees, and they are impressive. Whichever way you look you can see blankets of thick green woodlands and forests, but for me the most exciting thing about these woodlands is the appearance of fruit trees interwoven among oaks, hazels, beech, hawthorn etc almost invisible until you venture into the undergrowth. If there is one thing that I have learned so far on my Natural Networks journey is that this place is special and I want to inspire others to enjoy and value it as I do.
