Poundbury apple trees 'adopted' by children (From Thisisdorset)

Poundbury apple trees 'adopted' by children

11:00am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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CHILDREN’S legacies were planted into a community orchard that is set to flourish alongside a growing district.

The last 11 apple and pear trees of 60 trees given to Prince Charles for his 60th birthday were placed in the ground in Poundbury by youngsters from the Prince of Wales School.

The fruit varieties, including Old Somerset Russets and Billy Down Pippin’, join 49 trees that were planted last year to mark the royal milestone.

Each tree bears the names of the year four children, aged eight and nine, who planted it and will be tended by the youngsters and their families.

Jack Pearson, retired Duchy of Cornwall arborist, said: “It has taken so long to get the remaining trees in because some were rare varieties of apple tree and so they were difficult to get hold of.

“We tried to keep the varieties fairly local to the area.

“It’s nice to know that we have created an orchard that will be a legacy for the next 100 years.”

The final stage of the planting was organised by the Poundbury Residents Association (PRA) and the Poundbury Fathers Mutual Support Group (PFMSG).

Poundbury resident Tim Gallego said the PFMSG hopes to enhance the orchard with a picnic area and a barbecue.

He added: “Each tree is ‘adopted’ by a child and his/her family.

“This involves planting the tree, nurturing it and eventually eating the fruit!

“The trees planted last spring are all thriving and are regularly inspected by schoolchildren and their families.

“Today is really quite special – it’s a community orchard and anyone can come here.”

Youngsters Meghan Hallat, Hannah Breakwell, Daniel Ravenhill and Eleanor Wiggins planted an apple tree together as a group.

Meghan said: “I’m going to look after it by watering it, caring for it and talking to it.”

PRA volunteer planter Ian Ingrey-Counter thinks the completed orchard is a real asset for Poundbury.

He added: “I got involved because as a child I was bought up in a house with a big orchard and felt that this community orchard was something I could contribute to and give something to the whole community.”

Kevin Crabbe, of the Duchy of Cornwall, said he was pleased to see the orchard in place.

“At long last everything has started off now. It’s here for all of Poundbury and Dorchester to enjoy over the years.”