Bramley seeks volunteers for a community orchard project at St Peter’s Church, promoting green spaces and local engagement.
Recently, the community gathered for an apple juicing day to discuss the orchard plans. It was a fun event where everyone, young and old, got involved in making apple juice. They used a traditional apple scratter and press, which was a hit!
The Great Bramley Apple Day was a great success. People enjoyed apple-related crafts and had a chance to see the orchard plans. They could also share their thoughts and vote on the types of fruit trees they wanted.
Edward Turner, an 81-year-old local, expressed his excitement, saying it was “just what we need.” Many others shared similar sentiments, eager to help out and support the initiative.
Grace Hills, a member of the church and a community gardener, said the juicing event was a blast. She hopes that in a few years, they’ll be using apples from their own orchard for similar events.
This orchard project is part of a larger scheme funded by the Coronation Living Heritage Fund. It aims to plant thousands of trees to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation and his love for the environment.
The initiative will help create green spaces and connect communities with nature. It’s also a step towards meeting government goals for increasing tree cover by 2050.
The Church of England is pushing for local churches to be carbon neutral by 2030. They’re encouraging tree planting and better land use to benefit the environment and the community.
There’s also a grassroots movement called Wild Card, which is urging landowners to rewild their land. They’re focusing on the Church of England’s land, which is quite extensive, and want to see 30% of it rewilded by 2030.
Having an orchard on church land will not only provide fresh air and food for Bramley residents but also boost biodiversity and help with carbon sequestration. These are crucial in tackling food insecurity and climate change.
Grace Hills emphasized that the orchard is for everyone in Bramley, not just churchgoers. They’re looking for volunteers to help with planting, watering, and pruning the trees. If you’re interested, mark your calendar for the planting day on Sunday, January 12, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
Leeds City Council is teaming up with local fruit tree specialists, Fruit Works, to make this happen. They’re also working with other successful community groups that received funding.
Keep an eye on St Peter’s Church’s social media for updates about the planting day. Everyone is welcome to join in, and no experience is needed. All tools will be provided!
