A Nantwich college undergraduate who is battling Crohn’s Disease, has won a national award with his flood plain orchard.
Daniel Ackerley, studying a Foundation Degree in Countryside, Conservation and Recreation at Reaseheath College, was a runner-up in The Conservation Foundation’s ‘Gardening Against the Odds’ Awards.
The annual competition seeks out projects which are inspirational, which benefit people who face physical, mental or environmental ‘odds’ and which also offer wider community benefits.
Daniel, from Vicars Cross, successfully grows more than 100 fruit trees near the River Dee in Farndon, despite the land being flooded with up to six feet of water during the winter.
He has planted the two-acre plot with unusual and heritage varieties of fruit trees including apples, pears, plums, quince, mulberries, walnuts and hazelnuts, some dating back to Roman times.
He is also growing endangered native black poplar and elm trees which he is monitoring as part of national programmes to grow disease resistant species.
The plot is next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), so Daniel manages the orchard to provide diverse habitat for wildlife.
The 46-year-old hopes as it matures it could be used to educate young people in conservation methods.
Daniel was an engineer but had to retire from working on off shore oil rigs due to Crohn’s Disease.
He said: “Having an underwater orchard might seem a bit strange but the knowledge it’s worked in the past gave me the confidence to go ahead.
“My college course has enabled me to carry out the project scientifically and in a structured way, using both traditional and modern techniques.
“Basically, I’m trying to retain a vestige of medieval field system which is surrounded by modern agriculture.
“To do this successfully I need a good understanding of science and current legislation as well as practical skills.
“I was surprised and delighted to make the judges’ selection for the “Gardening Against the Odds” award.
“The whole event was extremely positive.
“All finalists were selected because their projects were outward-looking and went beyond their own boundaries.”
Conservation Foundation director David Shreeve said: “Daniel is a great example of what the ‘Gardening Against the Odds’ awards are all about.
“The judges were really impressed with his story and what he is doing.
“Susan Hampshire, a keen fruit grower herself, described it as an inspired use of space, growing trees and producing fruit.”
The finals of the prestigious competition were held on Wednesday at a gala tea party at Syon House in London. www.gardeningagainstheodds.com
(Pic: Daniel Ackerley at work on his orchard in Farndon)
Would love to chat to this guy about the black poplar trees and rare fruit trees
Well done Daniel! Great inspiring work to make use of floodplain in an agri environmental sensitive manner! Not only does this benefit the farmer/owner, but also people at flood risk downstream due to roughening of the floodplain (natural flood management), the watercourse and surrounding environment can act naturally and the system also prevents soil loss through ground cover. Great Stuff!
Perhaps Daniel could give Cllrs David Marren and Peter Groves some floodplain advice! https://staging.thenantwichnews.co.uk/2015/04/02/new-nantwich-car-park-by-river-weaver-viable-say-councillors/