I'm Shaun, and I'm working on a dissertation which looks at improving community connections with local heritage. I am focusing on the grounds close to Kilwinning Abbey and the Old Parish Church.
The OS 1st Edition Six-inch map of Kilwinning was published in 1860, from a survey made in 1855. It shows orchards all across the town, but particularly at Greenfoot, at Woodwynd, and at Pathfoot. Many can remember fruit trees growing at these locations until fairly recently...
I'm looking for stories from people who remember the orchards in Kilwinning. Do you have any relatives who grew up in the town? Perhaps you remember fruit trees in their garden? Did you ever pinch apples from one of the orchards mentioned? What did they taste like or look like?
I'm trying to build up a picture of the way people used to connect with the countryside. Wild foraging is becoming lost to time, globally. Industry, urban sprawl and convenience shopping is largely responsible. We're fortunate in Kilwinning as there are still loads of opportunities for getting out and picking fruit, but it could be better...
We went out with our young kids in Autumn during lockdown, picking brambles along the river. The expressions on their faces; they were beaming for hours. The whole experience extended for weeks afterwards, as we made it into jam, ate it on toast and gifted jars to family and friends...
I can tell you, the whole process of connecting with a few wild berries one sunny afternoon had a knock-on effect, and gave us an opportunity to connect with family during lockdown through a jar of jam and a story!
Any memories you have would be hugely helpful...
Shaun :)