Join today - your membership supports our community activities 👍🏻 Saturday morning talks are back for January and February - book your space - details in events and walks page 🗣️ new wild flower meadow - details in orchard page 🌻
Apple Bee Community Orchard,
Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Our orchard was planted in 2022 and contains around 80 young fruit trees, mostly different varieties of apple but also pear, plum and crab apple. It was planted for the community to enjoy, to provide fruit for local people and to create a healthy, relaxing environment for current and future generations. The orchard is already part of the nature syllabus for local primary school children who are regular visitors.
We offer volunteers the chance to connect with like-minded people, get some exercise in the fresh air, learn basic gardening skills, and make a real difference by supporting nature and helping to create a thriving, sustainable green space for the community.
We do light gardening, including weeding, pruning, checking the trees, planting in our pollinator bed, and keeping the paths tidy – whatever the season calls for.
We meet on Wednesday mornings from 11 to 12, weather permitting. No experience or special skills are needed, and the work is suitable for all ages—you can do as much or as little as you like. We have tools available, but feel free to bring your own and don’t forget your gardening gloves. We also have a WhatsApp group to stay connected, and you’re welcome to bring along any refreshments you’d like.
If you’re interested in volunteering, need more details, or want directions, simply click the email button below or copy the email address to get in touch. There’s no need to commit every week—we’re grateful for any time you can share!
New wild flower meadow - 18th December 2025
We are delighted to announce that the council is creating a wildflower meadow in the Apple Bee Community Orchard in Saltwell Park Gateshead.
The initial work is done: today, they harrowed the grass and planted yellow rattle seeds. This helps thin out the grass cover, giving wildflowers a better chance to thrive before the wildflower seeds are planted.
Future plans:
We’ll keep you posted as the wildflower meadow takes shape. We’re excited for it to become a haven for pollinators and other wildlife in the orchard, and to see a vibrant display of blooms once it’s fully grown and in full flower.
Autumn in the orchard - 12th November 2025
As autumn takes hold in the park and our Apple Bee Community Orchard, a fascinating array of new life emerges.
On the sides of the poplar tree slices that serve as orchard seating, a variety of fungi have taken root.
With the fading of summer foliage and plants, it's always intriguing to witness the arrival of winter's newcomers in the park and orchard.
Discover more about our orchard
Watch this short video, meet Diane and Alice from the Friends of Saltwell Park, discover a little more about who we are and what we do.
Our raised beds are thriving - June 2025
The raised beds in our Apple Bee Community Orchard are currently thriving, providing plenty of pollen for the insects.
Thank you to all our volunteers and school groups for assisting to bring the raised beds to life and helping to improve Saltwell Park for all to enjoy.
Learning about nature. March 2025
During early March, a group of pupils from Brighton Avenue Primary School learn about plants and nature in the Apple Bee Community Orchard, Saltwell Park, Gateshead, with volunteers from Friends of Saltwell Park and school teachers.
Tree pruning and maintenance. 22nd January 2025
Thank you to a great team of volunteers who assisted the Friends of Saltwell Park today in our Apple Bee Community Orchard with the essential tasks of tree pruning and also general maintenance.
Planting new life in our orchard. Autumn 2024
During October and November 2024, two eco groups from Brighton Avenue Primary School planted daffodil bulbs, crocus corms, herbs and flowering plants in the raised beds of our orchard. The children learned how to dig the right sized holes and plant them in the soil without disturbing the roots. They will be returning to see how the bulbs and corms have sprouted and how the plants have fared over the winter period.
We would like to thank Scotswood Garden in Benwell for their kind donation of plants that enabled more children to take part.
A young hedgehog foraging in the Orchard was spotted by the children during the October planting session. It was too small to survive the coming winter so the Friends of Saltwell Park rescued it and took it to a local rescue centre where it will be fed and sheltered over the winter and released in a safe place when the weather is warmer.
First raised bed complete. 04th September 2024
During 2024 we expanded the Apple Bee Community Orchard by adding 9 new raised beds.
Today's work in the Orchard has been both productive and satisfying. We have completed and planted the first of our 9 new raised beds. This bed now has herbs planted in it.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help out in our orchard and raised beds area, just click the email button below or copy email address to find out more about the different ways you can get involved. You can also become a full member and support our work to keep Saltwell Park cared for and thriving for future generations.
