Pauline Buchanan Black, Lord Anthony Young, Cllr Bassam Mafouz and Cllr Julian Bell help the Mayor plant a mulberry tree. (Photo by James Morton)

On 5th December 2015 Southall Park was the venue for the planting of our first community orchard making the Southall Orchard Project a tangible reality.

The windy conditions did not deter the incredibly enthusiastic  volunteers. Over a hundred people, most of them local, turned up to help.  Cllr Julian Bell, Leader of the Council said “There was a real show of community spirit”.

In addition to help from Ealing Park Rangers and The Tree Council, we were also joined by members of  Southall Community Alliance , HANGOT, Ealing Council’s cabinet, local councillors and Dr Onkar Sahota of the London Assembly.

Pauline Buchanan Black, from The Tree Council enthusiastically declared  “The energy present could have powered half the national grid!”

By the end of the day the crowd had planted hawthorn, rosa rugosa, blackcurrants, raspberries, redcurrant, gooseberries, plum, apple, vine, kiwi and a number of fruit trees in the vicinity of the old rose garden.

Jitin Dixit, owner of Subway Southall presented a cheque for £1000 to help further the project.

Cll Bassam Mahfouz, Cllr Ranjit Dheer, Cllr Julian Bell, Dr Onkar Sahota and Jitin Dixit join the Mayor as she prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon. (photo by Wendy Ho)

In addition to planting fruiting hedges and trees, many of those present joined the Sikh Scouts and members of Southall Transition’s ‘Community Clean Up’ group on a litter pick around the park.

The Community Clean Up Group in action. (Photo by James Morton)

Following a brief speech from our Business Liaison Manager, Jags Sanghera, the orchard was officially opened by the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Harbhajan Kaur Dheer.

Jags Sanghera addresses the crowd. (photo by James Morton)

What’s Next?

The Southall Park Community Orchard is now well underway but not yet complete. More trees are coming to Southall Park. The next planting day is Saturday 23rd January 2016. We will again meet by the globe at 11am.

To learn more about the Southall Orchard Project and get involved, please click here.