Did you know that Blockhouse Park used to have allotments along its northwestern slope? In fact, walking among the cherry trees you can still see evidence of the plot terracing and remaining strawberry plants.
Continuing the tradition of growing fruits and vegetables along this slope, in 2014 the Stoke Traders and Residents planted a series of fruit trees. From right to left they include: two plum trees, two pear trees, and two apple trees. Dotted among our orchard you can also find a few Hawthorns and hazel trees; once our hazel trees are old enough, you can pick hazelnuts in the late summer months.
A lasting benefit of the growth of these fruit trees is that because their roots take in water from the ground, they mitigate water run-off. This helps to reduce flooding into the St. Levan’s Valley you see below.