Green-fingered residents of a 1950’s housing estate in Wandsworth saw the promise of free fruit bring the local community together for an orchard planting day at the weekend (Saturday 28th January).

Wendelsworth Estate, which was built as part of London’s post-war regeneration programme, is already home to a much-loved and award-winning community garden, established with the support of Wandsworth Council back in 2011.

Thanks to Helping Britain Blossom, a partnership between Heineken and The Orchard Project to create and restore over 100 community orchards across Britain, volunteers are creating a community orchard in a separate, sunnier spot within the estate by planting ten different fruit trees and shrubs for residents to enjoy – including apple, cherry, damson, peach, quince, mulberry and blackcurrant varieties.

There are also plans to plant raspberries, strawberries and rhubarb plants as well as creating a boundary to the site comprising espaliered fruit trees. Those involved in the planting included four orchard leaders who have been given specific training by Helping Britain Blossom enabling them to plant, grow and manage the orchard as well as passing their skills on to others.

Other volunteers included estate residents, local allotment plot holders and a contingent of runners from Good Gym in Wandsworth who offered their digging and planting services at the same time as keeping fit.

Martin Cobley, orchard leader and co-chair of Wendelsworth Residents Association and Community Garden explains: “The idea of having a community orchard started several years ago amongst a group of us gardeners, and finally came to fruition – excuse the pun – last year with the full backing of the local community. We planted a couple of fruit trees that were donated to us in an underused but very sunny area of the estate which is perfect for fruit growing. With Helping Britain Blossom’s support, we are creating a much bigger orchard that in just a few years will provide lots of free fruit for the whole community to enjoy, as well as a space for people to get together outdoors. “What is being created is a wonderful amenity for estate residents that helps lift community spirit and builds relationships with the wider community, such as Good Gym. It is also educational on a number of different levels: from teaching people about growing fruit and where our food comes from, to giving them an understanding of some of the implications of global warming. The benefits are endless.”

Ryan O’Kane is Helping Britain Blossom’s project manager for London: “Wendelsworth community orchard is one of a number of new orchards that have already been created across London for local communities to manage, enjoy and use, bringing people together to create green spaces and build healthier, happier and more sustainable communities. “Community orchards are such wonderful assets for the whole community and Wendelsworth will be no different. I’ve not doubt it will be bearing fruit in more ways than one for years to come.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Wendelsworth community orchard can email Ryan O’Kane at ryan@theurbanorchardproject.org or become a friend of Helping Britain Blossom on Facebook. To find out more information about Helping Britain Blossom visit the website: www.helpingbritainblossom.org.uk. 

Based on information supplied by Louise Barnett.