Villagers come together for opening of community orchard

A new community orchard has officially opened in Dilton Marsh, giving residents a new space to enjoy and grow fruit for the community. 

Volunteers have spent months developing the orchard on Penknap Road, which opened to the public on Sunday 16th August after being transferred from Wiltshire Council to Dilton Marsh Parish Council in January 2025. 

Young siblings Imogen and Jacob, who created Jebury the rock snake from painted rocks, cut the ribbon to officially open the orchard. The rock snake, which is currently in Dilton Marsh Playing Fields, will be moved to a permanent location in the orchard at the end of the summer holidays.  

The siblings were joined by villagers and parish councillors, including Cllr Jenny Jones, who has led the orchard project. 

“It’s beautiful, it’s such a nice area,” said Cllr Jones. “It’s a quiet space for anybody who wants it. We’re very happy for people to just come and use the orchard as they want and take the fruit as they want.” 

Some of the produce grown in the orchard will also be used for community lunches at Dilton Memorial Hall. 

The parish council has been supported by various grants and donations to develop the area, including funding from Wiltshire Council’s Coronation Living Heritage Orchard Fund, the Wessex Water Community Fund and Westbury Area Board. 

Local businesses, including Arkadian Matthews Property and Garden Management and Steve Smith from UK-EU Oak Limited, also helped by providing materials such as wood chip and compost. 

“It’s a community effort,” said Cllr Jones. “But we could do with more volunteers; it’s a lot of work.” 

There is currently a core group of around eight people who work regularly on the orchard, with Cllr Jones encouraging more local people to get involved. 

Volunteers aim to meet once a fortnight to work on the orchard. 

Students from On Track Education in Westbury also visit the orchard once a week to tend to the school’s raised bed and help maintain the space. 

To find out more about volunteering, contact clerk@office.diltonmarshparishcouncil.gov.uk.