Herefordshire has a strong heritage in cider orchards and this is seeing a resurgence thanks to a nationwide initiative by Helping Britain Blossom - a partnership between Heineken, The Urban Orchard Project and The Bulmer Foundation - which will see a number of new and restored orchards in the county over the next two years. It is part of a wider initiative that will see the creation of more than 100 new and restored orchards across the UK by 2017.

The latest new orchard to be planted in Herefordshire is at Pomona Grove in the village of Upton Bishop, near Ross-on-Wye, where Herefordshire Housing, a local housing association, is building a development of 10 affordable houses, flats and bungalows.

Helping Britain Blossom, in partnership with Orchard Origins, part of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, is creating a community orchard on the site with the enthusiastic support of local volunteers. Once planted (planting day is on Saturday 19th March), it will feature 12 different fruit trees chosen by local volunteers, including specific Herefordshire heritage apple varieties such as Kings Acre Pippin and Herefordshire Russet and a number of local plum varieties from neighbouring Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.