Skip to main content
About townFun thingsNews and views

Councillor opens new community orchard

 
Local people across Landport and Buckland came together this Sunday (3 July 2016) to officially open a new community orchard in the heart of the city.
An orchard with apple trees surrounded by a wild meadow, picnic benches and raised flower beds has been installed by local volunteers to enhance local life for residents in and around the Cornwallis Crescent area of the city.
The project has come about with the support of Heartlands Community Voice, a local community group and the council’s Residents’ Development Team.
Local ward councillors including Stephen Morgan attended the family fun day that marked the opening of the community garden organised by fellow local residents.
A barbeque was organised with children treated to free activities including face painting, a disco, necklace making and bag decoration.
IMG_6160Cllr Morgan said:
“I am delighted to open the new community orchard in the heart of Portsmouth. Thanks to volunteers the unused and neglected piece of land is helping to address the shortfall of allotments, promote community production of fruit and help us rediscover the pleasure of growing fruit grown close to home. I’m looking forward to trying some of the first produce grown!”
Community orchards such as this also help to green the urban environment and create habitats for wildlife and increasing the city’s biodiversity.
Cllr Morgan added:
“Most importantly of all projects like these bring residents together to do something fun and make life better in our community. I’ll be working with other residents to encourage more things like this in the future”.
Residents are encouraged to get involved in the project. Volunteers are being sought with further information available on Facebook by searching ‘Cornwallis Crescent Community Orchard’ and local businesses encouraged to help sustain the project by helping with the funding for further equipment.