A COMMUNITY group hoping to safeguard orchards that formerly belonged to Glastonbury ‘egg man’, Wilf Peddle, is calling on people to back a fundraising campaign as it enters its final stages.

Tomorrow (September 25) marks a deadline for donations to the campaign, being run by the Friends of St Edmunds Well CIC – a community interest company hoping to buy and safeguard the land when it goes up for auction.

They are nearly at their £20,000 target – but are making a last big push for donations.

The CIC now has more than 50 members who share a common goal “to preserve this orchard as a precious link to Glastonbury’s horticultural roots and ecological Heritage”, a spokesperson said.

“Wilf’s orchards are some of the last remnants of Glastonbury’s once thriving orchard tradition,” they went on.

“They are also a haven for wildlife and are home to deer, foxes, badgers, bats, hedgehogs, toads and a plethora of wildlife.

“The Glastonbury community has rallied valiantly in support of the cause. Through the course of their campaign and from talking to so many local people, they have discovered that the uniting factor is a shared love for Wilf and a respect for the role that he and his family played as caretakers of the orchards and green spaces of Glastonbury.”

READ MORE: Fundraiser launched to preserve ‘egg man’ Wilf Peddle’s Glastonbury orchards
READ MORE: Glastonbury & Street news from your Somerset Leveller

The CIC hopes to preserve Wilf’s legacy by restoring the orchard, designating it a memorial orchard and planting heritage varieties of fruit trees to commemorate local events such as births, deaths, weddings etc.

The group said it is dedicated to protecting and restoring the local biodiversity, wildlife habitats and creating a space for multigenerational community participation and wellbeing.

“Also, on the orchard is an old well that has been overgrown with brambles and hawthorn for a long time,” the spokesperson added.

“It is known as St Edmund’s well and the CIC wishes to restore it.”

Fundraisers are hoping to protect and enhance the orchards. Picture: Jason Bryant

The well is named after St Edmund, who was England’s original patron saint by popular acclaim. He was a Christian king of East Anglia martyred by the invading Viking army and was often invoked as a protection from epidemics and his badge was a wolf.

Two English King Edmunds were also buried at Glastonbury Abbey and St Edmund’s hill (aka Windmill hill) in Glastonbury may have been associated with one of them although neither were the actual original Saint Edmund.

Supporters can donate directly to Crowdfunder at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/friends-of-st-edmunds-well-cic.

Those who donate £500 or more before September 25 can become Founding Members of the Friends of St Edmund’s Well CIC, enjoying lifelong membership.

For more about membership and to make a bank transfer donation, email friendsofstedmundswell@gmail.com.