EVERYONE is invited to dig in and help at an orchard.

Bridport Community Orchard's last Sunday work session of 2018 will take place this weekend as volunteers look forward to the next year.

This coming Sunday, at the St Mary’s Church field site, tasks which need tackling include:

• Marking branches that will require pruning in January/February

• Reinstate some of the weed free circles around weaker trees and mulch

• Collect spent hops from Palmers

• Compost turning and creation of new heaps

• Completion of the hedge laying

• Check the cordon stakes and replace any that are broken

• General check of tree stakes and make adjustments as required ready for the winter storms

• Check the pond for leaks and plan repairs required

• Catch and re-home the goldfish

• Connect the juicing shed down pipe to the pond

• Sort out the water butts beside the allotment shed

• Plant wild flower plugs

The work session will start at 10am and refreshments, including warm apple juice and mince pies, will be offered at about 11am.

Once again, the fruits of everyone's hard labour will be on offer as the orchard's pasteurised apple juice will be available at £2.50 per bottle.

There are a few places remaining for the Community Orchard Christmas party meal at the Ropemakers on Thursday, December 16, from 7pm.

There are just a few places remaining and tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

It wraps up a successful year at the community orchard, which has become a hive of activity due to an increase in the number of volunteers.

Several hundred people turned out to join in the fun at this year's apple day, with proceeds going towards the ongoing support and maintenance of the orchards which will ensure the whole community will continue to benefit from it.