A total of 84 fruit trees, with a preference for Lincolnshire varieties, were planted by local preschools, primary schools, adult learning groups and residents across three days between Thursday 6 February, Friday 7 February and Saturday 8 February.
The orchard is the brainchild of the Rasen Area Environment Group, which is led by Yvonne Horrocks and the trees were provided by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and are a part of Defra’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund Community Orchard Project.
Ongoing maintenance for the community orchard, which creates habitats for pollinators and other wildlife, will be delivered by dedicated volunteers.
A map of all the trees in the orchid, along with details of their species, who planted them and who they are in memory is currently being drawn ahead of the orchard’s official opening later on in the Spring.
Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chair of both the Environment and Sustainability Member Working Group at West Lindsey District Council and of the Rasen Area Environment Group, attended the tree planting and even planted a tree himself alongside organisers Neil Fairless and Angie Cutler.
The next Rasen Area Environment Group Meeting will be Thursday February 27 2025, 6.30pm at Festival Hall, Market Rasen. For more information on how to volunteer, please contact: Yvonne Horrocks Secretary and Coordinator Rasen Area Environment Group: Rasenarea.eg@gmail.com
To see what steps West Lindsey District Council is taking to enhance our local environment, visit our Sustainability, Climate Change and Environment page.