This year’s Picnic will take place on Sunday, May 21st, at the Dartmouth Community Orchard on Ridge Hill and Mount Boone between 12.30 pm and 4.00pm

The Orchard’s new rustic Shelter is going to be opened by the new Mayor of Dartmouth, Richard Cooke.

Catherine Bond, a Friend of the Orchard, commented, “We hope it will provide shelter and be a meeting and information place for some of our many events, both educational and recreational.

“Also it will be a handy place for our volunteer workers to have a well-earned rest.

“There will be entertainment for all age groups provided by Lisa Schneidau and Hugh Nankivell in the form of exciting story telling, live music and singing.

“Amongst the apple trees in full blossom, this will be a magical addition to the afternoon.

“As if this was not enough excitement, there will be an old English Tradition called ‘Beating the Bounds’ taking place later in the afternoon, as this Sunday is actually Rogation Sunday in the Church calendar.

“We shall be beating the boundary of the Orchard with sticks to drive out the old Spirit of Winter, represented by a Dragon, and to welcome in the new Spirit of Spring, represented by a Lion.

“The Dragon will lead the procession and the Lion will take over to indicate the old spirit disappearing and the new taking over.

“These old traditions are often still seen in Orchards. Beating the Bounds is similar to the Wassailing ceremony which some may be familiar with.”

You are invited to take a picnic and a rug or chair to sit on. Guests will be offered apple cake to sample, cider from the orchard to taste and comment on, and ice creams and lollies from Dartmouth’s new ice cream bicycle, The Jolly Lolly.

Families, friends, children and friendly dogs are welcome. Admission is free.