New Orchard at Wigginton Park, Tamworth

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Hundreds of fruit trees have been planted at a Staffordshire park as part of a community environment project that will also help ease the current cost-of-living crisis among local people. Nearly 400 fruit trees have been planted within Wigginton Park in Tamworth in order to create a community orchard. The aim is that when the orchard is fully established the public will be able to walk through a flower covered meadow and help themselves to fruit. The fruit tree planting project has been delivered thanks to Tamworth Borough Council and Forest Mercia Community Interest Company (CIC).

The local council has planted more than 360 fruit trees in Wigginton Park, creating an orchard of apples, pears, plums, damsons, gages and quince. The Trees for Climate funding package from DEFRA, obtained through the Forest of Mercia CIC, has funded the new orchard which measures approximately one hectare in size. Once the trees are established, the council will re-instate a woodchip footpath through the orchard and Forest of Mercia will also provide further funding for wild meadow flower seeds to blanket the surrounds of the path.



Dave Knowles, from Forest Mercia CIC, said: “The variety of trees that have been planted will have a big impact on the biodiversity of the park through their flowers and fruit and, as they develop, will be a marvellous resource for the local community, providing quality fruit with very few food miles. There are a wide variety of fruit types, some very old, others more recent. As they mature, they will have different tastes and textures to encourage people to try different types. We have been delighted to work with Tamworth Borough Council to deliver such a valuable project to the community, and we hope local people will enjoy the ‘fruits of our labours’.”

Anica Goodwin, Executive Director for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “It is wonderful to be part of this project to enhance the biodiversity within the park while also growing fruit for local communities. We thank Forest Mercia CIC for their funding support and look forward to seeing the fruit trees flourish in the future.”



The Trees for Climate initiative is a multi-million-pound woodland creation programme
Further information can be found by visiting: https://englandscommunityforests.org.uk/trees-for-climate

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