South Norfolk: Children plant heritage orchard

Year 6 pupils from Queen’s Hills Primary School planted 36 fruit trees, including apples, cherries, plums, damsons, quinces, meddlers and pears. All the trees are rare heritage varieties from the region and grown in Norfolk.

The children were helped by new volunteer group ‘Friends of Queen’s Hills Community Park’.

Volunteer Pauline Williams said:

“These trees will enrich the biodiversity of the area and help feed our wildlife. The community will also be able to enjoy the fruit for many years to come.”

Assistant Head Teacher Joel Hann said:

“This is a really positive project for the children to be involved with and will make a lasting difference to the community.”

As well as a heritage orchard, the Council, with the help of volunteers, have also created an outdoor classroom which is frequently used by the school and a wildlife garden within the school grounds.

They are also creating a tree nursery within the school, for children to germinate and tend to seeds they have collected in the park. Future generations of children will then be able plant the young trees back in the park or within the local community.

Work is also underway at the park to restore and improve the network of footpaths and to create two new football pitches, which will be ready early next year.

There are also plans to undertake work at the site’s pond, including creating a pond dipping area and bird screens.

South Norfolk Cabinet Member Councillor Graham Minshull said:

“There are so many exciting projects happening at the park and this is just the start. We are really looking forward to continuing our work with the school children and our wonderful volunteers to enhance the biodiversity of the site and protect it for future generations.”

South Norfolk Council recently adopted the site from developers and the improvements are being funded by Section 106 developer contributions.