The Neighbouring Orchard

Event Information

Following a residency with Art Walk Projects in 2019 exploring the history of growing fruit trees in coastal Edinburgh, Annie was inspired to continue the tradition with a new community orchard.

When the Covid-19 pandemic arose it became clear that a new approach to community growing was needed - one that allowed people to garden at a safe distance but still retain a sense of unified purpose.

With further support from Art Walk Projects, Annie looked to planting apple trees as a way to forge links with people in neighbouring streets and suburbs. What was initially planned to be a small scale project planting around 30 trees quickly grew as several hundred people responded to a call out. Planted in winter 2020, The Neighbouring Orchard is formed of 120 apple trees grown across public-facing spaces: shared gardens, community spaces, GPs surgeries, respite centres and the front gardens of individual households. Linked together by bees and other pollinators, this individually planted orchard is rooted in community; as the trees grow, bud, blossom and fruit we look forward to a time when we can gather together to enjoy the harvests.

The apple varieties planted each have a historic link to the area, having previously been grown in Edinburgh orchards. To complement the tree planting Annie created a series of artworks - a new audiopiece tells the story of local orchards and pop-up exhibitions appeared outside. In the Spring and Summer we will host online drawing classes and workshops to bring the community of growers closer together. 

In this talk Annie will discuss the ideas behind the project, the challenges of planting an orchard under lockdown restrictions and the incredible response that the project has received from the local community.

The online talk will also include discussion with a few of the growers, about their responses to the project.

Contributors

Annie Lord - Annie Lord is an Edinburgh based visual artist and performer who has been working with Art Walk Projects in developing this project over the last two years. Annie's work explores geographic and cultural histories through storytelling and live performance, with a rich knowledge and interest around the apple tree.

Art Walk Projects

Art Walk Projects is an eco-arts organisation based along the coastline and outskirt area of Eastern Edinburgh (Portobello) which works with artists and local communities to create engaging, accessible research-led projects relating to social, historical or environmental issues. The projects forge links with viewers, residents and artists, fostering an approach of collaboration and sharing, with projects predominantly taking place outdoors. Their projects seek to offer creative, sustainable and adaptable approaches to the strengthening of a local community, building neighbourhoods, through placemaking and partnership working. The programme involves regular artist residencies relating to the natural environment exploring new terrains that have social, local as well as wider geographical relevance.