Orchard Meadow

Orchard Meadow Play Park

Orchard Meadow is a delightfully natural play park situated in the middle of Tolpuddle to the south side of the main road on land described in the 1842 Tithe Map as an orchard.  After the construction of the bypass in 1998 various proposals for new housing came forward in Tolpuddle, which included building on this land.  Following concern from residents and with the long-standing desire for a public open green space in the village, a 106 agreement was made between the local authorities and the developer of Streamside and Long Cowleaze, designating the land as a public park.

In 2007 the Tolpuddle Open Space Community Association (TOSCA) was formed by a number of residents to work with the Parish Council to get the new park built and opened.  With the 999 year lease obtained, the work to secure funding commenced.  In total over £100,000 was raised.  TOSCA ceased operating soon after September 2009 and the opening of Orchard Meadow.

Orchard Meadow is managed by Puddletown Group Area Parish Council with support from local residents.  The grass cutting and some small items of maintenance are carried out by a local contractor with regular weekend volunteer work parties attended by local residents of all ages.  Twice per month, the area is checked for any damage or health and safety issues.  Four times per year, a properly qualified inspector checks the whole area and specifically all play equipment and seating for any health and safety defects. 

A volunteer group headed by local wildlife advisor, Rob Brunt, meets four times per year to carry out general gardening and maintenance.  The Parish Council provides all the tools necessary for this work but no electric machinery.  Any work required that cannot be carried out by the group, is referred to the Parish Council which will seek quotes for the required work.  The volunteer work parties are advertised and open to all so please come along and lend a hand.

Orchard Meadow was designed for all offering opportunities for play, sport, quiet sitting, picnicking and events within a site that benefits the environment and wildlife.  It was designed with access to nature and wildlife very much in mind.  The vision was a living space that changed with the seasons, provided opportunities to see wildlife and had fun spaces for creative play.  Highlights include:
    - A fantastic willow tunnel
    -  A meadow area with a wealth of wild flowers including bee orchids
    -  New standard traditional variety of apple trees to complement the two remaining old orchard trees
    -  Adjacent stream and a variety of habitats including hedgerows and trees
    -   2018/2019:  a  programme of play equipment repair and replacement was put in place specifically to replace the kickwall / basketball hoop and upgrade the toddler play area
    -  June 2022:  tree planted in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
    -  January 2024:  new picnic tables and benches installed
    -  March 2024:  new swings installed and an update on replacement and repair programme - see news below.

Current play equipment includes a play tower with slide, climbing net, pole and rope bridge, roundabout, large nest swing, kick wall and grassed play area, toddler slide and climbing net. The site also has a petanque area.

Orchard Meadow provides varied opportunities for picnicking with picnic benches and seating available, please take your litter home and no BBQs or dogs are permitted.  The park does have an area of shallow water and an adjacent stream, please supervise young children on site. 

If you notice anything of concern, contact Michelle Harrington, Clerk to the Puddletown Area Parish Council:  clerk@puddletownareaparishcouncil.gov.uk

March 2024
Orchard Meadow News

Pleased to bring the following news and updates:

• The new picnic benches have now been installed as have the swings.

• There will be an ongoing programme to replace all the fencing in and around the meadow commencing with the toddler area fence.

• All the play equipment will be cleaned, repaired where necessary, and weather proofed.

• Some of the older decrepit benches will be removed and in some cases not replaced.

• Louise Keogh's memorial bench will be removed and sympathetically restored.

• The bespoke "apple bench" will be removed and hopefully restored.  If this is not possible a new bench will be commissioned like for like.

• Further play equipment is also planned with spring rockers for the toddler area and monkey bars for the larger area.
  
  

The latter plans are not set in stone so we would welcome any suggestions from villagers about further additions for the meadow. 

I hope this gives you an indication of what we are planning.  If you have any points you would like to raise please don't hesitate to contact me, Jim Johnstone via the PAPC:  clerk@puddletownareaparishcouncil.gov.uk

Orchard Meadow News:  January 2024
New Benches for Orchard Meadow
Great community effort and thanks to Jim Mason, Roger Angus, Simon Rees, Bill Ruddock, Sam Large and of course Jim Johnstone (who arranged their purchase with the Parish Council).  Wheelchair access at two of the benches.  They're made of recycled plastic bottles by a company in Poole.