Right in the heart of Tysoe lies a beautiful and highly productive two-acre orchard that is for the benefit of everyone in the villages of Tysoe, Oxhill and Whatcote.
Have you considered becoming a member?
The WOT2GROW Community Orchard CIC is owned and run by its members and membership is open to all.
If you’ve never visited come along and wonder at the tranquil space and the extraordinary range and quantity of fruit grown here.
Alongside the apples, pear, plum, apricot and cherry trees, we grow soft fruit, raspberries, blackcurrants, red and white currants, gooseberries and blueberries.
Have you considered becoming a member?
The idea for a community orchard on a fallow piece of farmland became reality 15 years ago. Every mature tree and established row and bush of soft fruit was lovingly planted by the first enthusiastic members of the Orchard.
The fruits of members’ labours, literally, are enjoyed by its members and surplus fruit is distributed to the Tysoe Lunch Club, local care homes and schools.
We welcome other groups, residents and schools that would find it of interest or educational.
WOT2Grow Community Orchard CIC lies directly behind and adjacent to the allotments off the Shenington Road in Tysoe.
Find the orchard on Google Maps
An environmental haven
- There is a strong sustainable and environmental focus in the management of the orchard.
- Natural biodiversity is encouraged and beehives have been introduced.
- Trees, bushes and canes are not treated with any synthetic plant protection products or fertilisers.
- Pests and diseases are controlled by natural means and by in-built plant resistance.
- We now also have close links with the Tysoe Wildlife group
Fun today, jam tomorrow – the benefits of membership
- High quality produce
- Fresh fruit from June until December.
- Sharing knowledge, chat, work and friendship
- A lovely place to spend a few hours every week.
- Leaving a lasting legacy for the village
How to become a member
- Please email our membership secretary, Miranda Forrester, for a membership form or if you’d like to try out one of our Orchard work sessions.
- Miranda’s contact details are: mirandawot2togrow@gmail.com Tel: 01295 680265
- There is a one-off joining fee of £25.00
- For a couple, there is a joint fee of £30.00.
- Subsequently, In April each individual member pays a yearly orchard maintenance fee (OMF), presently £17.50 per person and £30.00 for a couple.
Membership details
- The Orchard is for the benefit of residents of Whatcote, Oxhill and Tysoe.
- Members become joint owners of the Community Interest Company, WOT2Grow Community Orchard CIC
- Membership entitles individuals a vote on how the orchard is run and managed.
- Fees are reviewed annually by the CIC members at the AGM.
- In April each individual member pays a yearly orchard maintenance fee (OMF), presently £17.50 per person and £30.00 for a couple.
- We realise that many members have work and family commitments and find it difficult to attend the work sessions. This does not mean that you are not very welcome as members. Enthusiasm for the project and help when you can is what is required.
Managing and enjoying the orchard
- Orchard maintenance and fruit picking is carried out by its members, usually on a weekly basis. An email is sent out to all members informing them of dates and times.
- Examples of work needing to be done is planting, mulching, pruning, fruit thinning and mowing. And, of course, the reason we like it so much, the product itself. Delicious fresh fruit from June through to December
- We never expect members to be expert on all aspects of the care of the Orchard, but if you wish to learn and help how to do this, there is always someone who can show you. There is often a discussion between two or three members on the bit of tree that needs pruning.
- At present the fruit is distributed on a request basis with all members receiving, as much as possible, a fair share. A record is kept of all fruit picked. Those who attend the sessions can take home a bonus amount after members’ requests are fulfilled.
- The amount of fruit available is entirely dependent on such things as weather and yield and the number of members able to attend picking/maintenance sessions.
Events
Apple Day
- Saturday 10th October 2026
This is really the culmination of the Orchard year when we press and juice apples. Not only do we use our own apples, but anyone can come and join us bringing their own fruit.
It really is a community event with both children and adults chopping the fruit and turning the presses. Tea, coffee and cake, of course. Because no village event can be had without homemade cakes and biscuits.
PIC OF APPLE DAY
AGM
- Tuesday 17th November 2026 in Tysoe Village Hall at 6.30pm
How it all started
Originally, a small group got together who thought that a community garden of some sort would be a wonderful addition to the village. This morphed into the idea of a community orchard. We found two acres of land that the Marquess of Northampton was happy to lease to us. (we have just renewed another 10 year lease beginning April ‘26).
Then, in 2011 a committed group took on the hard work of applying for grants to bring the Orchard to life. We received grants from the Big Lottery’s Local Food scheme. Many hours were put in planting the trees and then subsequently the soft fruit.
In 2016 grants from the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme enabled us to build raised beds and plant blueberries under the orchard’sJuicy Fruit initiative.
We receive support from local groups including the Tysoe Flower Show and our members volunteer over 500 hours a year to maintain the fruit and the land.
CIC information
CICs are limited companies which operate to provide a benefit to the community they serve. The purpose of a CIC is primarily one of community benefit rather than private profit.
Examples of a CIC could be a direct welfare service to vulnerable people, or an activity that generates profits which are used to support a specific purpose such as a running a cafe where all profits generated are used to benefit the community.
A CIC operates in the same way as any other company. It has all the well understood characteristics of a limited company such as a separate legal identity; the ability to enter into contracts and own assets in its own name; and flexibility in borrowing and fund raising.
The separate legal identity means that a CIC will continue to exist despite changes in ownership or management. The directors can be paid or unpaid and have the same rights and duties as any other directors.
Further reading on Community Interest Companies:
