Thirty heritage fruit trees will be planted as part of an urban community orchard at the Hunsbury Hill Centre on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021.

Students from the local primary school and Moulton College will be planting apples, pears, damsons, plums, and quince on the grounds of Northamptonshire ACRE, at Harksome Hill. The fruit varieties have been chosen for their historic value and were once grown in orchards across the East Midlands.

The orchard, funded by the Postcode Places Trust and Northampton Rotary, is part of a wider project to restore the beautiful Grade 2 listed farmhouse, outbuildings, and landscape at the Hunsbury Hill Centre.

It’s hoped the planting will provide a beautiful community space for East and West Hunsbury residents and visitors to enjoy, and learn new skills. There are plans for orchard activities and events to take place in future years.

The project is a collaboration with West Hunsbury Parish Council, community group Save Our Street Trees, and urban forester Russell Horsey from Woodland Dwelling – who will be leading the planting day. Northampton Rotary Club has sponsored five trees as part of its centenary celebrations, which will see it plant 100 trees across the town.

Northamptonshire Acre CEO Elaine O’Leary said: “Planting this orchard is the culmination of a long-held wish of the charity. We are delighted to be working with our partners to deliver a wonderful growing space for the benefit of the local community as well as doing our bit for the Queen’s Green Canopy.”

A photocall will take place at 11 am on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021. Please contact Projects Administrator Natasha Jimenez Sanchez at ACRE on natasha.jimenezsanchez@northantsacre.org.uk or telephone 01604 765888.