For the first eight years of its existence, the Millennium Green was looked after by a special charitable trust which was formed to take care of it (this was a condition of the Millennium Greens funding).

Throughout this period the chair was Marion McClintock and the secretary was Andrew Jotischky. The Trust employed people to work on the orchard and the Fairfield Association continued to provide local volunteer help.

Then, in 2008 the Trust was merged with the Fairfield Association. The Fairfield Association has a dedicated Orchard Subgroup whose particular concern is the Millennium Green.

The Orchard Subgroup organises an Orchard volunteer group, which works on the orchard/green all through the year on the second Saturday of each month from 10.00 a.m. till 1.00 p.m. and the last Wednesday of each month from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm.

In the summer months, when there is more work to be done (plants grow very fast!), we also work on at least one evening a month. A list of volunteer dates can be found below, the details of the activities to be carried out are circulated to volunteers on an email list and via notices on the boards in the Orchard.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has helped us with training in activities like pruning and hedge layering.

How is the maintenance work paid for?

The Fairfield Association initially raised significant funds to help with the maintenance costs in the first few years and we continue to raise money through our events and activities. Lancaster Strategic Partnership (LSP) and Breathing Places have given us funding to help us maintain and improve the Millennium Green (e.g. the purchase of a mower and a picnic table) and encourage its use (e.g. through helping to fund special events and school visits). The Woodland Trust and Lancashire County Council have given us money for tree- and hedge-planting and flowers.

Can I become a volunteer?

Yes, you certainly can! We always need help to maintain and improve the site, so just come along on the second Saturday of any month at 10am or on our summer evening volunteer sessions. Notices indicating forthcoming volunteer sessions are pinned regularly to the notice boards in the Orchard. We are a friendly group which likes to have fun as well as work, whatever the weather. We provide tools and other equipment and also tea, coffee and biscuits for the mid-session break. You can contact volunteers AT fairfieldassociation DOT org (characters replaced to reduce spam) to be added to the Orchard Volunteers email list, which reminds us of the upcoming volunteer days and what we are intending to do on them.

When are the volunteer days?

Volunteer mornings

We meet on the second Saturday of each month, refreshments provided.

• Saturday May 7th 10am -1pm
• Saturday June 4th 10am -1pm
• Saturday July 9th 10am -1pm
• Saturday August 13th 10am -1pm