Brighton Permaculture Trust

17/08/2026

🌳 A new way in to Woollards Field Orchard!

A big thank you to Spam and the brilliant team who built and installed a new access gate at Woollards Field Orchard in Moulsecoomb last week.

It’s a small but important improvement, making it easier for volunteers and the local community to access and care for this lovely community orchard.

Woollards Field is home to 11 apple trees, each a different Sussex heritage variety, alongside the children’s playground and Maggie’s Corner. 🌿🍏

Looking after an orchard takes plenty of practical work, from caring for the trees and clearing paths to keeping the space accessible and welcoming. We’re really grateful to everyone who gets stuck in and helps keep Woollards Field thriving.

15/08/2026

It was a hot day at the Permaculture Plot in Stanmer Park this week, so our new shelter came into its own, providing some much-needed shade while we repotted tiny seedlings. 🪴

The Permaculture Plot is a place to learn, experiment and grow together, exploring practical ways of working with nature and growing food sustainably.

And the best bit? You can join us! 💚

Our regular volunteer sessions at the plot are a chance to get hands-on, learn new skills, meet other people and help care for the space. You don’t need to be a gardening expert, just come along and get stuck in.

Fancy volunteering with us? Come and grow with us!

14/08/2026

If you're local to Whitehawk, there's a fun free event happening next weekend (Saturday 22nd August!)

BN25 Live is an event which aims to promote Whitehawk's nature and history! Our fabulous Volunteer Kirsty, who cares for the Racehill Community Orchard will also be there, showcasing our Brighton Permaculture juice with apple pressing too!

We'll be at this BN25 Live event showing off Whitehawk's nature and history! Come along for mosaic club, seed-bomb making and much more!

Friends of Craven Wood Friends of East Brighton Park & Sheepcote Valley Racehill Community Orchard

See you there!

14/08/2026

What if damaged land could come back to life?

This interestingg video takes us to La Junquera in Murcia, Spain, where a 5-hectare piece of dry, degraded land has been transformed through regenerative agriculture, keyline design and careful work with the landscape.

What started as an experiment in restoring damaged land has grown into a much bigger story - exploring how we can rebuild healthy soils, slow desertification, restore ecosystems and work with nature rather than against it.

For us at Brighton Permaculture Trust, there are some big questions here that feel very relevant: How do we care for soil? How do we hold and use water wisely? And how can the way we grow food help restore the land around us?

The conditions in Murcia are very different from Sussex, but the principles of observing, regenerating and working with natural systems are at the heart of permaculture.

🎥 A fascinating watch for anyone interested in permaculture, regenerative agriculture, soil health and ecosystem restoration.

14/08/2026

LET THE JUICING BEGIN! 🍏

Last weekend we fired up the juicing gear at our Fruit Factory in Stanmer Park for the first time this season - and the fresh raw juice was flowing!

Here's a picture of some of the brilliant people helping make it happen: Nick, Robbi and Leah, one of our regular volunteers. 💚

But this is about much more than making delicious juice. Through our Scrumped in Sussex project, we rescue surplus fruit from gardens and orchards that might otherwise go to waste, turning local fruit into juice, cider and other delicious products. It’s one of the ways we’re putting permaculture into practice: less waste, more local food, and stronger communities.

And you can be part of it too! Whether you’ve got an abundance of apples, want to volunteer, fancy seeing the juicing in action, or simply want to support our work by buying some of the juice - there are plenty of ways to get involved.

🍏 Got surplus fruit? We’d love to hear from you.
🍎 Want to get hands-on? Come and volunteer.
🥤 Want to taste the results? Find us at the Fruit Factory in Stanmer Park.

21/07/2026

Are you interested in stone fruit pruning? Why not join our friends at Plot 22 for a short workshop next Wednesday 29th July.

Some of you may know the tutor, Paul Wiggins who is an important member of the Brighton Permaculture community!

For all questions or tickets visit: https://buy.orderwhizz.com/33/events/33-cwlz

29/06/2026

A SURPRISING FIND!

Early June brought a welcome shift after a tough spring of cold winds, dry spells, heavy rain, and finally some sunshine. We visited the newly planted orchard at Plymouth Avenue on a last-minute trip… and were very glad we did!

While checking on two healthy groups of young orchard trees, the Sussex Wildlife Trust team called out an incredible and rare find: Bee Orchids!

Brighton Permaculture Trust has been working with communities for over 20 years across Sussex to create orchards that last for generations - providing free fruit and nuts while building rich habitat for wildlife. We use carefully chosen rootstocks and long-term management to help these spaces thrive. At Plymouth Avenue specifically, local steward James keeps a close eye on day-to-day care, supported by expert orchard guidance from our team.

That combination of community care and specialist support is key to long-term success.

Managing the grassland around young trees is just as important as planting them. As mowing is reduced over time, a ‘Traditional Orchard’ habitat develops, supporting far more biodiversity and helping wildflowers and insects return.

This work is only possible thanks to strong partnerships with Brighton & Hove City Council City Parks teams, alongside Sussex Wildlife Trust, whose volunteers and Youth Rangers are helping track how biodiversity changes as these orchards mature.

Finding Bee Orchids this early feels like a brilliant sign of what’s to come. We can’t wait to see what else appears as these orchards grow.

If you’d like to get involved in caring for a local orchard, get in touch!

📸 Jack Thompson, Sussex Wildlife Trust

28/06/2026

SAVE THE DATE!
Come and celebrate the harvest season once again with Brighton Permaculture Trust!

📅 Sunday 20th September 2026
🕐 12pm – 5pm
📍 Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park, Brighton

Our annual Apple Harvest Day is a way for us to promote the work we do within the Sussex community, whilst celebrating the changing seasons and natural cycles – all whilst learning about permaculture, reducing food waste and enjoying some music and scrumped cider. It’s a free, family and doggy friendly event and we’d love to see you there!

If you have any questions, see our website or message us for more details!