Winter Pruning on Wassail Day

Looking to kickstart your winter fruit pruning with confidence and a friendly touch?

Join horticulture expert Emma Maxwell at her one-acre orchard at Ash & Elm in Llanidloes, mid-Wales, for winter pruning on Wassail Day. 

It's the perfect opportunity to refresh your skills, meet fellow enthusiasts, and gain practical experience to inspire your own orchard work. 

We’ll start by exploring everyone’s pruning knowledge and experience, then dive into a fun 'Pruning 101'—covering key concepts and reasons behind the techniques, with Emma sharing real-life examples. You'll get hands-on practice pruning, boosting your confidence and skills. 

Throughout the day, we'll also chat with you about your community orchard group and the positive impact you make locally.  

Come prepared with warm clothes, wellies, and, if you have them, gloves and pruning shears (some tools will be available). We’ll provide drinks and cake, but please bring your own lunch. 

By the end of the day, you’ll leave with improved pruning skills, first-hand experience, new ideas, and renewed enthusiasm to carry out your orchard work. Plus, you'll have connected with a supportive community sharing your passion. Join us for a friendly, fruitful day that will leave you inspired and empowered. 

There are limited spaces for this event, so please book early to secure your spot and avoid missing out. If you're unable to attend, please cancel as soon as you can — we have a waiting list, and we'd love to fill your place. 

About the Trainer

Emma Maxwell holds an MSc in Sustainable Horticulture and Food Production and has experience as a university lecturer. She has been a part-time trainer and mentor for Farm Start trainees on the Pathways to Farming course, part of the Tyfu Dyfi project, for seven years. Her teaching encompasses both practical and classroom-based topics, including soil and plant science, propagation, edible and ornamental growing, and relevant business marketing topics. In 2023, Emma was appointed as a coach for the DEFRA New Entrant Support Scheme.  She continues to mentor horticultural farmers for Farming Connect. 

Emma has conducted numerous horticultural trials in collaboration with organisations such as the Soil Association’s Innovative Farmers project and the Savari Research Trust.  

Event details

Where: Ash & Elm Horticulture, Cae Felyn, Old Hall, Llanidloes SY18 6PW

What 3 Words: ///grounding.squashes.outer

When: Saturday 17 January 2026, 10:30am to 16:00.  Wassail Day!  Welcomes upon arrival.

What to bring: Your lunch; warm clothes and wellies or other suitable footwear; gloves and pruning shears, if you have them.  We'll provide drinks and cakes.

Cost: Free, but places are limited. 
We operate a waiting list and expect high interest.  If you book, but are unable to make, please cancel as soon as possible as someone else then has the opportunity to come along.  If you want to be added to the waiting list, please book and if the event is full, you will be offered this.

Further venue information

Emma L. Maxwell and Dave Ashley are Ash & Elm: a vibrant, five-acre off-grid market garden dedicated to agro-ecological and regenerative horticulture since 2011. Social Farms & Gardens have collaborated with Ash & Elm for many years and know Emma to be a gentle powerhouse — a true master of self-sufficient horticulture. The farm hosts an impressive diversity of crops, including vegetables, flowers, nuts, and fruit. Emma, Dave and the site have cultivated a dynamic community of staff, volunteers, workers, students, and WWOOFers, each contributing energy, enthusiasm, dedication, and a diverse range of skills to the heart of mid-Wales.   

Parking:  You can pull into the entrance and park on the hard standing carpark.   

Llanidloes town is reachable by bus, but services are limited.  Please visit Powys County Council’s local bus routes map for more information.  

Nearest train station is Trefeglwys Caersws.  

If you are travelling by public transport, and need a lift from Llanidloes Town or Trefeglwys Caersws, we can help. 

Full directions and for arranging a lift from public transport stops, please see booking confirmation.