April 2021- Planting Fruit Trees at Platt Fields Park

 

Emily, Dan and  James- On a Mission

Another shower of sleet! I really thought Winter had ended.. Not that it's stopping more focussed tree planting. 

This time the Orchard Project are working with the Friends of Platt Fields park to plant 12 new fruit trees. They are working with local community members in a Covid compliant way - families and friends have booked in on relevant slots thoughout the day to keep the numbers on the ground at any one time to a minimum - and as ever, a cleaning area with hand gel has been set up. Sign of the times.. 

Still, its nice to see real people for a change. Emily is newly qualified joiner and local resident and is a dab hand with a drill and a post driver. She's keen to help plant a tree in honour of a neighbour, Penny, who recently died. James has come from Levenshulme to help out, whereas Jane has brought her kids along to get involved/mess about and have fun. 

Everyone is very keen,and the weather has improved.  The church provides a  suitably majestic backdrop. Dan from the Orchard Project is permanently upbeat - a great trait to have in difficult times. He is systematic, making sure every tree planted is given due care and attention - it's not a race after all. 

The park is getting busy, lots of people walking past and commenting positively on the planting. One chap even comes over and is keen to sponsor one of the fruit trees, which is nice. Dan takes his details. 

A young lad, Khaled comes along, having been " encouraged" to do this by his Mum.  He's given a short briefing, signed in and is now working with Oscar, happily banging in stakes. 

Speaking to another volunteer Dan, he also helps out at the Park Market Garden project, where produce is grown and sold locally.  " Its incredible - We have over 200 people on the waiting list to volunteer". 

Wow. 200 people wanting to help out -  and can't! What does that tell you? We need more of this stuff going on.. 

More Orchard Planting to come - find out more from Dan if interested.. booking only. 

dan@theorchard project.org.uk

DELAMERE Park Openshaw : SUNDAY 25th April  SOLD OUT!!!!

MERSEY BANK Fields Chorlton Park: SATURDAY 1st May Spaces Available

KENWORTHY Wood Northenden: SUNDAY  2nd May Spaces Available

Jane's boys ready for action

James ready to plant