Statement on the Dug Out from Cherry Orchards (Camphilll) Ltd

As the new owners of the premises known as The Dug Out at 63 Barton Hill Road, we would like to briefly introduce ourselves to the wider community.

Cherry Orchards (Camphill) Community Ltd is a charity with a 50-year history of activity in Bristol. The objects of the charity are the delivery of therapeutic, cultural and social activities with an emphasis on community building and resilience. Historically we have served as a therapeutic community, in the area of special needs education and more recently, adult mental health, and cultural/artistic activities have formed an important part of what we offer. In the past, our wide range of beneficiaries were mainly supported through local government funding.

We are now working closely with Wild Dandelion CiC who are currently a tenant in the Wellspring Settlement.

Our initial activity will be to renovate and upgrade the building with the aim to provide a beautiful and sustainable home for the work we hope to offer there. Our intention is to continue to offer support for people to maintain their wellbeing. We also wish to find ways to include the wider community in this development.

We look forward to working with the local community, and with our neighbours at the Wellspring Settlement.

Valerie Sands, for Cherry Orchards Trustees, September 2025