Forge Orchard Education PackForge Orchard Education PackForge Orchard Education PackForge Orchard Education Pack

By Gemma Grant 2010

Forge Orchard Education PackForge Orchard Education PackForge Orchard Education PackForge Orchard Education Pack

Welcome to the education pack designed and produced by Cranbrook in Bloom and the Kent High

Weald Partnership using funding appreciatively received from Grassroots.

Aim: The pack aims to provide Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers with ‘easy to photocopy’ worksheets to

take out and use with a class in Forge Orchard, which reinforces a variety of National Curriculum

units.

Volunteers clearing the orchard

Apple trees

The outdoor classroom

Table of worksheets included in this packTable of worksheets included in this packTable of worksheets included in this packTable of worksheets included in this pack

Worksheet Activity Key stages

A Teachers Notes A brief introduction and maps

to the site.

B

Generic Risk

Assessment for a

visit to Forge

Orchard

For use by the teacher to draw

up own risk assessments.

C

Blank map of Forge

Orchard

A good way to introduce

mapping to students- use this

map to plot trees, measure and

pace.

Ideal for KS2 but could be used by KS1 to

introduce them to maps.

1 Forge Orchard Fact

Finder Quiz

A good way to introduce the

site to a group

Can be photocopied for individual older

students (KS2) and can be done as a group

activity for younger children (KS1).

2 Wildlife Detective Looking at pictures and

matching them with their

surroundings. A good way to

introduce identification and

using keys.

Ideal for children with all abilities

3 Mini-Beast record

Sheet

Looking a bit closer at what

organisms live in the orchard

habitat

Pictures of minibeasts make it easy to use

with KS1 and KS2 students.

4 Tree-mendous! Looking at the leaves and parts

of the tree in a bit more detail

with some fun activities. The

second part involves maths:

measuring and calculating

sizes.

Section 1 Perfect for both keystages.

Section 2 aimed at Key stage 2 but teacher

could go through the motions with the tape

measure with Key stage 1.

5 Habitats Looking at the meaning of

habitats and using the orchard

to discover the variety of

habitats there and who lives in

them

Perfect for both Key stages aiming at

covering habitats in science.

6 Sensory Games Learning about all of your

different senses and using

them to take a closer look at

nature!

Perfect for all levels including reception.

7 Life cycle of an

apple tree

Taking a closer look at the role

of seeds and fruit of an apple

tree and seasons.

Colouring ideal for KS 1 and life cycle

more suitable for KS2.

8 Other apple

activities

Apple poetry, apple printing

and an apple crumble recipe

Ideal for all Key Stages

9 Useful Links/

Contacts

To develop projects further.

Use these useful links to find

out other information and

things to do.

Section A

Where is it?

Forge orchard is located on the Northern outskirts of the Kentish town of Cranbrook. It is

sandwiched on the corner of a junction of 2 roads; the A229 Angley Road and Waterloo Road.

Grid reference on an Ordinance Survey Map: TQ779370 Post Code: TN17 2LF

Scale 1:37500 Black dot marks the location of the orchard. Taken from OS sheet 188

Scale 1:4688 A closer look at the exact location of Forge Orchard

What is it?

Forge Orchard is a 1267 square metre area of old traditional apple orchard. There is a public right

of way running along the southern perimeter of the site which connects Angley Road and Waterloo

Road

Forge Orchard is the property of Ianthe Alexander and has been in the Alexander family who lived

at neighbouring Old Wilsley, a Tudor Grade 1listed house, for many years. The family were very

prominent at Wilsley Green owning several properties and at one time owned Wilsley Farm. There

is a rich history of the Alexander family in Cranbrook with Camilla’s father Herbert being a

distinguished watercolour painter. Camilla’s uncles Boyd and Claude were explorers and the

fascinating bird collection of Victorian Ornithologist, Boyd Alexander is in Cranbrook Museum.

Ianthe inherited the orchard in 2006 after the death of her mother Camilla who was very passionate

about gardening and conservation. Camilla planted a Monterey Pine in Forge Orchard to grow as a

successor to the Monterey Pine which is growing in the grounds of the former Willesley Hotel next

door to Forge Orchard.

The Orchard was retained by Ianthe after the sale of Old Wilsley and after discussion with Ivor

Hatcher, who is now Ianthe’s representative in the project, Ianthe agreed to allow Cranbrook in

Bloom the use of Forge Orchard for a period of seven years.

Seven years being thought to be sufficient time for the group to develop a feasible strategy to

maintain and conserve the orchard. The work will continue after the initial seven year period

should the project be successful.

What’s the aim of the project?

The aim of the project is to protect and conserve Forge Orchard and use it as a facility for

education purposes as well a place for people to appreciate the wonders of nature, hopefully

inspiring further conservation in other areas.

The Brogdale Trust has identified some of the apple trees; some are believed to be one hundred

years old, as: Peasgood, Lanes Prince Albert, Bens Red, Claygate, Laxton Superb, Blenheim

Orange, Bramley, Queen and Crimson Bramley.

How is it managed now?

The site is now managed by Cranbrook in Bloom as a community orchard, and is also managed for

conservation. This means that the vegetation and wildlife of the orchard is cared for and managed

in a beneficial way. For example, some areas of grass is left long to support a wider variety of

flowers and wildlife. This will only be cut at the end of summer where most of the plants will have

seeded and insects will have gone for the winter.

Why is it important?

Forge Orchard is now an isolated remnant of traditional old

orchards that are disappearing across the UK. It is thought

that up to 60 percent of the UK’s traditional orchards have

been lost since the 1950’s - and the figure is thought to be

even higher in Kent. Newer varieties, competition from

abroad, better paying crops and older apple trees producing

less fruit than younger trees are all factors to why

traditional orchards have been lost. Traditional orchards are

the home to many species of insects and birds which have

become dependant on them such as the Noble Chafer

Beetle which thrives in old orchard trees.

A Noble Chafer beetle which survives

in old traditional orchards

Section B

Forge Orchard Risk AssessmentForge Orchard Risk AssessmentForge Orchard Risk AssessmentForge Orchard Risk Assessment Name of Assessor:

Location: Forge Orchard, On the

junction of Angley Road and

Waterloo Road, Cranbrook

Post code: TN17 2LF

Grid reference: TQ779370

Date of activity:

Date of R.A./Site visit:

Other information:

Nearest Emergency Hospital:

First Aider:

Hazard

Risk Who might be harmed

Likelihood of risk taking into

account the

proposed actions

Proposed action

Uneven

Ground

Slips, Trips

and Falls

Participants

and Staff

Low Warn participants of

danger during talk at start

of day.

Moving

vehicles on

road

Being hit by

vehicle

Participants

and

supervising

adults

Low Ensure children and adults

walk in an orderly way

along pavements and

footpaths to the orchard.

Set boundaries to the

group of the hedge around

the orchard.

Equipment

misuse

(eg nets, bug

pots)

Injury from

equipment

Young

people and

supervising

adults

Low Brief all on proper use of

equipment and make

participants aware of

proximity of others when

handling nets.

Getting lost or

deliberately

separated

from the

group

Panic, risk of

injury to self

Young

people

Low Warn participants to stay

within a close proximity of

the main area of activity

and not to wander off. In

the event of an incident at

least one supervisor should

remain with the group in

one place whilst others go

to find individual(s). If

they have not been located

within 30 minutes back up

must be called. Refusal to

co-operate will result in

parent or carer being

called.

Working with

Young People

Welfare of

young people

Young

people

Low Children under 16 years

must be accompanied by

an adult. No adult will be

left alone with a child,

unless they are the

guardian. Engage young

people where possible to

prevent bad behaviour

Dog faeces Toxocara

canis

Participants

and staff

Low Remove faeces from

vicinity prior to event.

Hand washing can be

made available.

Litter Injury to self

or others

Participants

and staff

Low Remove litter from vicinity

prior to event and warn

participants of the risks

and to let teachers/staff

know.

Weather

Rain, wind,

sun

Hypothermia,

sunstroke,

exposure

Participants

and Staff

Low Ensure participants are

dressed appropriately for

the weather conditions. A

decision will be made on

the day to change the

contents of the trip or

cancel if the weather

conditions are too severe

e.g. high winds or

torrential rain.

Brambles and

nettles and

Barbed wire

Cuts, thorns,

and allergic

reactions

Participants

and Staff

Low Identify hazardous plants

to participants and warn of

potential risks.

Warn participants of

brambles flicking behind

them or catching clothes,

look out for each other.

Warn of barbed wire at

beginning of the day and

keep participants aware

along route especially for

children as barbed wire is

often at their head height

Over-hanging

or falling

branches or

trees

Injury to eyes

and face from

whips or

crushing

injuries from

larger

branches /

trees

Participants

and Staff

Low Check route for hazardous

trees before the event and

avoid.

Contact PROW team to

report dangerous trees on

route

Cancel activity if it is

windy.

Warn participants of small

branches flicking behind

them, look out for each

other.

Reaction to

plants or

insect bites

Allergy or

anaphalacsis

Staff and

Children

Low Warn children not to pick

or eat any plants.

First aider on site and

adequate first aid kits

METHOD STATEMENTMETHOD STATEMENTMETHOD STATEMENTMETHOD STATEMENT

First Aider will be available at all times

A health and safety talk will be given at the start of the sessions

Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult or indemnity forms on hand Instruction given on how to use sweep nets to catch mini-beasts for identification and

recording.

Worksheet 1

Map of Forge Map of Forge Map of Forge Map of Forge

OrchardOrchardOrchardOrchard

N

Footpath

Footpath

Welcome to Forge Orchard!Welcome to Forge Orchard!Welcome to Forge Orchard!Welcome to Forge Orchard! Can you find the facts?!!

Forge orchard is what we call a Traditional

Orchard. This is what orchards would

have looked like many years ago.

You can find this orchard in the town of

______________ which is in the county of

_________________________________.

The orchard is sandwiched between 2 roads

called_______________________________ and is

surrounded by a long _________ which acts as a shelter from

the wind and the traffic but also acts as a home or habitat for

___________________________________________. You

can get into the orchard using the gate which is made out of

__________. The trees in the orchard grow a type of fruit

called ____________. You can make different things out of

this type of fruit such as _______________.There are

__________(number) trees in this orchard and

___________________ of them grow fruit. There are also

piles of ______ in the orchard. These are great places for

wildlife to __________.

Worksheet 2

Can you find the things in the

pictures below?

What are they and where are

they in the orchard?

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

This is a ________

I found it _______

_______________

Worksheet 3

Mini-beast

Record Sheet! Mini-beast Number

Found

Number of legs Number of Wings

Snail

Earwig

Grasshopper or

cricket

Drawing of my favourite mini-beast!

My mini-beast is the colour

______________________

It had _____legs

and ____wings!

Its name is

__________________

Where does my

mini-beast live?

_______________

_______________

Worksheet 4

In the dictionary a tree is ‘a tall plant which has a wooden trunk and

branches that grow from its upper part’.

They are important because they:

• Provide food and homes for a variety of wildlife

• Help produce oxygen we breathe

• Provide us with a range of products we use…from fruit to wood

for fuel and buildings. Can you think of anything in your home

made out of wood?

� Get into a group and pick a tree to look at in

Forge Orchard

Draw a picture of your tree here and label it using the following

words:

Canopy

Trunk

Branches

Roots

Leaves

Draw the shape of your

leaf here:

Our tree is a:

Using the back of this sheet and a wax crayon…make a rubbing of your tree’s bark!

What does it feel like? Circle the words or write extra ones!!

Cold Rough WetWetWetWet WarmWarmWarmWarm

Soft Smooth DryDryDryDry FuzzyFuzzyFuzzyFuzzy

Bumpy FlatFlatFlatFlat Smelly

My tree is _____________ years old!!!!!

What you need:

• Flexible tape

measure

• Calculator?

• Pencil

Many trees growing on their own grow about 2.5cm in girth

every year. However, trees in dense woodlands grow a lot

slower- about 1.25cm per year!

To estimate how old your tree is simply measure around the

trunk of your tree, 1.5m above the ground. Then divide your

measurement by 1.25 or 2.5!

How Tall is Your Tree?

It is possible to estimate how tall your tree is using the following method:

1. Get into pairs and decide who is team member A and who is team

member B.

2. Choose a nice big tree!

3. Team member A stands next to your tree

4. Team member B finds a nice straight stick from the ground and

then walks 10 metres away from your tree.

5. Team member B holds the stick up infront of themselves at arms

length and carefully lines up the stick with the top of team member

A’s head and the bottom of their feet (You may have to shorten it

by snapping it or find a longer stick!)

6. Team member B….Staying at your 10 metre distance from the tree

and holding up your stick at arms length again, how many times

does your length of stick fit up the tree? ___________ times

X =

Team member A’s Number of times Height of your

Height measured length tree

of stick fits into

tree

Worksheet 5

⇒ A habitat is where an organism (a living thing) lives!

There are many different habitats around the world and even

in Forge Orchard! Each habitat has different conditions (such

as temperature, moisture, amount of food and light) and

therefore different organisms prefer to live in each one.

In the exercise below match up the different habitats to the different organisms that

live there. You can even have a look around forge Orchard to give you some clues

Habitat Organism

Flower rich meadow Worm

Tree Woodlouse

Dead Wood/ logs Butterfly

Long Grass Blackbird

Soil Grass snake

Choose a habitat in the

orchard to look at.

⇒ Our habitat is _____________________________

My habitat is (circle your answers)

Cold/ Cool/Warm/ Hot/ Dry/ Damp/ Wet/ Light/ Dark

Wildlife Found

in my habitat

Where do you

think it shelters?

What do you

think it eats?

Why is it in the

habitat?

⇒ Grass is an amazing habitat for creatures! Compare 2 different areas

of grass. One area of long grass Vs one area of short grass. Count

how many different things are in each area to see which has the

most! The area with the most plants and animals is __________

Draw or sketch your chosen habitat here (include any animals you see)

Write any names of the things you know the name of.

Why not make a ‘sticky bookmark’

to take to the orchard. Simply cut

strips of card with a strip of double

sided sticky tape on. When you’re

at the orchard peel the sticky tape

cover off and stick on as many tiny

bits of colour you can see!!

Worksheet 6

Game 1: Sight by ‘looking for rainbows’

What you need: paint colour charts from d.i.y store in all colours. Or different coloured items in a

bag.

Activity: Choose a colour from the bag and match that colour in the orchard. Hint: with tricky

colours take a closer look at leaves, rocks, soil etc. Game 2: Touch by ‘Hugging a tree’

What you need: Blind folds or trust everyone to close their eyes!

Activity: Get into pairs and one puts on the blindfold. The other takes the blindfolded person to a

different tree in the orchard where they have to feel it. Once the blindfold is removed the task is to

find that exact tree by remembering how it feels! Game 3: Smelling ‘stinky cocktails’

What you need: plastic cups and water

Activity: Each person takes a cup and fills it with a bit of water. Find a few leaves or bits of grass

to crush up in your fingers, smell and add them to the cocktail. Try to make nature’s most smelly

cocktail possible! But remember to feed your cocktail back to the earth where it will help things

grow! Game 4: Hearing by drawing a ‘Sound Map’

What you need: Blank piece of paper and a pencil per person

Activity: Draw an ‘X’ in the centre of the page. This is you. Now close your eyes and listen to the

noises all around you in the orchard. Draw what they are on your map.

Scavenger Hunt: A fantastic warm up game! Can be done in groups, pairs or individually. Each team gets a bag to

put things in. Each item is read out and the team must find something to put in their bag. Feel free

to make up more!

Something Yellow

Something with 2 colours on it

Something noisy (hint….rustling leaves or squeaky grass!)

Something cold to touch

Something rough

Something that smells (hint…squash up some leaves!)

Worksheet 7

An apple tree in forge orchard has a ‘life cycle’,

starting off with a seed and growing into a tree!

Can you fill out the cycle below drawing pictures of

each stage in each box.

Here are some words to help with your stages: tree blossoms and blossom pollinated

by bees/ tree/ Seeds of apple spread/ Sapling grows from seed/ Turns in to apples

Spring, summer,

autumn and winter!

⇒ The apple trees in Forge Orchard change throughout the year. Can

you colour the trees according to our 4 seasons and label which is

which?

Worksheet 8

Apple Tasting

Take an apple from each tree in the orchard

Cut them up into small pieces and keep them separate

(Teacher to cut up the apples)

Sit around in a circle to taste and compare the different apples and

score them for different categories in individual note pads!

Let everyone discuss and describe the taste of the apples and the colours of

them!

Apple Crumble RecipeApple Crumble RecipeApple Crumble RecipeApple Crumble Recipe

Crumble:

300g/10½oz plain flour, sieved pinch of salt, 175g/6oz brown sugar, 200g/7oz butter, at room

temperature

Filling:

450g/1lb apples, peeled, cored and cut into bits, 50g/2oz brown sugar, 1 tbsp plain flour

1 pinch of ground cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. Place the flour and sugar in a large bowl and rub in the butter until the mixture resembles

breadcrumbs.

2. Place the fruit in a large bowl and sprinkle over the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir well

being careful not to break up the fruit. 3. Butter a 24cm/9in ovenproof dish. Spoon the fruit mixture into the bottom, then sprinkle the

crumble mixture on top. 4. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until the crumble is browned and the fruit mixture

bubbling.

Apple poetry

1. Pick up one item in the orchard that

you like (eg pinecone or apple) and use

all of your senses to make up your

poem. Sight, sound, smell and touch!

‘Apple, apple you smell so

sweet!’

2. Using the spelling of your item to

start each line of your poem

‘All of the apple trees glistening

in the sun.

Producing sweet smells and

fresh fruit’

Apple printing Cut an apple in half and dip into bright

coloured paint. When printed onto paper in a

pattern you can produce an exciting piece of

pop art!

Design a poster to promote

Forge Orchard and to

encourage people to look

after it.

Orchards and apples

⇒ Brogdale- National Fruit Collection based in Faversham, Kent. Information on varieties

and about growing apples. www.brogdale.org

⇒ Orange Pippin. A site that has so much information on apple varieties, growing, tastes, and

more. Well worth a look. http://www.orangepippin.com/

⇒ http://www.england-in-particular.info/orchards/o-kent-i.html is a great site with

information on other local community orchards in Kent and their value.

⇒ The National Trust is running an orchards project. Info can be found at

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-nature/w-

nature-orchard-restoration.htm

Games/education

⇒ Has many apple games, recipes and ideas for children http://www.alphabet-

soup.net/dir2/apple.html

⇒ Brilliant site with children’s and teachers sections for each year group. Promotes healthy

eating http://www.bramleykids.com/

Kent High Weald Partnership

Gemma Grant from the Kent High Weald Partnership designed this education pack in partnership

with Cranbrook in Bloom for Forge Orchard. Thanks goes to the Cranbrook in Bloom team and

Ivor Hatcher for all of their help. Particularly to Ivor for providing detailed history of the orchard.

The Kent High Weald Partnership is one of seven Countryside Management Partnerships across

Kent which aims to ‘link the local community and the countryside by raising awareness and

encouraging action.’ They work closely with individuals, landowners, community groups, local

businesses, schools and parish councils through projects and events.

For further information, help and advice please contact the Kent High Weald Partnership on

01580 212972 or email info@khwp.org.uk or visit our website at www.khwp.org.uk