TO CONTINUE Malvern’s love affair with beautiful wildlife, a new grant scheme is being launched to help plant community orchards across the district.
Organisations and business are being encouraged to take up the grant opportunity which offers between £200 and £10,000 to support the creation of new orchards.
Malvern Hills District Council is offering up the funds which can be spent on the cost of trees, protection, fencing and installation.
Groups including schools, residents’ associations, community groups, charities, businesses, and parish and town councils across the district are being invited to apply.
The orchards can be on private or public land with the aim of allowing community access and engagement opportunities.
Tenbury Town Council received a grant of over £300 to create a small orchard in its Civic Garden, off Teme Street.
Councillor Lesley Bruton, town clerk at Tenbury Town Council, said: “Tenbury was named ‘The Town in the Orchard’ by Queen Victoria and this funding opportunity helped the council create a small community orchard as a lasting tribute for the King’s Coronation.
“The orchard will improve the area for residents’ wellbeing and visitors’ enjoyment who will be able to pick the fruit.”
Five fruit trees were planted by Tenbury-based company Frank P Matthews Tree Shop and included three apple Adam’s Pearmain, Herefordshire Russet and Red Windsor, one Conference Pear and one Victoria Plum.
Councillor Mark Driscoll, portfolio holder for environmental Services at Malvern Hills District Council said: “Time is running out to apply for this wonderful opportunity.
“Community orchards are excellent places for people to come together to plant and cultivate a variety of fruit trees and to use the area as a focal point for community activities.
“Tree planting has an important role to play in tackling climate change and it will also help support our ambition to become a carbon neutral district.”
The UK Government has provided a total of £2.5 million in funding to local governments, through The Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF), which celebrates the coronation of King Charles III and supports tree planting projects across England.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/clhf or email [email protected] for more information. Applications close on December 20.
