As we grow older we lose special friends. Roger and Celia Worraker were special, not only to family and close friends, but especially to the community where they had lived all of their married lives.
Roger and Celia made such an impact on their community, Celia the driving force for the Five Oak Green in Bloom Group that excelled in South East in Bloom competitions.
Celia inspired the creation of The Capel Community Orchard project and with Roger's expertise in 'all things apple' the Community orchard became reality in 2012. Click on Queens Diamond Jubilee Orchard
On Sunday 11th June the unveiling of the newly named The Worraker Community Orchard attended by members of supportive local community organisations and Roger and Celia's sons James and Jonathan who performed the unveiling of the very informative community orchard board.
Unveiling Ceremony
Below: Jose Twynam addressing attendees at The Worraker Community Orchard unveiling
In the picture below, key participants in the re-naming and fund raising are;
Hilary Andrews from Five Oak Green representing the Capel Greenbelt Preservation Society CGPS (a local charity which supports 'green' community causes and main donators to the project)
Jose Twynam coordinator of the project (fundraising & design of the board), friend of Roger & Celia and she helps Sophie with the Community Orchard.
James Worraker and Jonathan Worraker
Konrad Legg from Tudeley, also representing the CGPS.
Sophie Peers from Five Oak Green, Organiser & lead of Five Oak Green Community Gardening Group which has replaced the Five Oak Green in Bloom Group that Celia ran.
She maintains the planters in the village with local residents but they don't enter the South East in Bloom campaign anymore. She also oversees the Community Orchard.
Following Jose Twynam's introduction James Worraker performed the Unveiling Ceremony
Below: left to right. Hilary Andrews, Jose Twynam, James Worraker, Jonathan Worraker, Konrad Legg, Sophie Peers
Andrew Tinsley representing the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and Marden Fruit Show Society isn't in the photo, but is in the picture of the Memorial Bench, paid a lovely tribute to Roger. As he said: "Wearing many hats" he knew Roger from 1980 when Roger taught him how to prune.
"Roger was very well respected for his knowledge of the apple industry, and in particular Bramley in which his guidance on Bramley tree structure can still be seen in many orchards. His work identifying new varieties, in particular Jonagold and Gala. Roger one of the founders of the launch of The Gala Club in the 1980's and passionate about the variety, as an easy apple for the grower and as an attractive, crisp and juicy apple for the consumer. It is now the number one UK grown dessert apple grown here".
The organisations Andrew was representing, were also very generous donating to the project.
Below: the Memorial Bench paid for with donations to the project and right. Andrew Tinsley posing (front left)
Below: THE WORRAKER COMMUNITY ORCHARD notice board
The English Apple Man has followed the Community Orchard from 'day one' and featured activities in a number of Journals
Click on Journal for May 13th 2016 then scroll down!
Also click on Roger Worraker PEOPLE PROFILES which tells Roger's lifestory and features aspects of the community orchard over the last 11 years.
Below: Roger & Celia Worraker receive an Award from South East in Bloom for the Capel Diamond Jubilee Community Orchard
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man