Press release: Celebrate orchard blossom, local produce and nature this spring

Almost 100 nationwide events are set to mark Orchard Blossom Day 2024

This Friday [26^th April] marks the return of Orchard Blossom Day 2024, where traditional orchard groups across the country host events to celebrate fruit trees, their produce and nature.

The annual springtime celebration falls on the last Friday in April, but local events often take place into early May. This year almost 100 different events will be taking place at orchard sites across the country, including tours, produce fairs, picnics and practical crafts for families, nature lovers and groups of friends to enjoy. Most Orchard Blossom Day events are free to attend. To find your nearest celebration, visit: www.ptes.org/orchard-blossom-day-sites.

Orchard Blossom Day is coordinated by the UK Orchard Network. This partnership of organisations, led by wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), work together to conserve traditional orchards, protect our fruit heritage and production, and the many species of wildlife that depend on this iconic, yet declining habitat.

New for this year, renowned poet and author James Crowden – the Orchard Network’s orchard blossom champion – has celebrated spectacular displays of blossom, beauty and biodiversity through his poems. To find out more, visit www.orchardnetwork.org.uk.

Steve Oram, Orchard Biodiversity Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species says: “Spring is the perfect time of year to appreciate nature and the amazing produce it can bring. Traditional orchards have experienced a devastating decline since the 1950s, with 90% being lost due to neglect, development or intensification. They are absolute havens for wildlife and the unique way fruit trees age creates a habitat that can’t be replaced or replicated, which is why it is so vital to maintain and protect them. We hope that showcasing the value of traditional orchards through our Orchard Blossom Day events will help raise awareness of the need to protect those that remain, and stop any more from disappearing completely.”

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For high res images, interview requests or further information, please contact Adela Cragg:

T: 07532 685 614

E: adelacraggPR@outlook.com

Notes to Editors

Available for interview

• Steve Oram, Orchard Biodiversity Officer, People’s Trust for Endangered Species

About People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)

• PTES, a UK conservation charity created in 1977, is ensuring a future for endangered species throughout the world. We protect some of our most threatened wildlife species and habitats, and provide practical conservation support through research, grant-aid, educational programmes, wildlife surveys, publications and public events.
• PTES’ current priority species and habitats include hazel dormice, hedgehogs, water voles, noble chafers, stag beetles, traditional orchards, native woodlands, wood pasture and parkland and hedgerows.
• PTES has Species Champions for two of its priority species: for hedgehogs The Rt Hon Chris Grayling, MP for Epsom & Ewell and for water voles The Rt Hon Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds Central and Chair of the Brexit Select Committee.
• Visit www.ptes.org and follow PTES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube & LinkedIn.

Header image credit Andy Wasely | iStockphoto.com