Sixty seven people helped to complete the Spikes Bridge Park Orchard on the final planting day which took place at a community event on Saturday 9^th March 2019.

The orchard was officially declared ‘open’ by the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Tejinder Dhami, who along with Virendra Sharma, MP for Ealing Southall, also planted a Rosette Apple tree before unveiling a new interpretation board with Cllr Ranjit Dheer OBE, the Deputy Leader of Ealing Council and other Councillors.

By Arif Hussain

Over 300 volunteer hours have gone into this phase of the project and Spikes Bridge Park now has 25 new fruit and nut trees. Varieties include:

Apple (Malus) Bramley, Apple (Malus) Rosette, Plum (Prunus) Hangata, Pear (Pyrus) Concorde, Cherry (Prunus) Tamara, Apricot (Prunus) Bergeron, Hazelnut (Kentish Cob) and Hazelnut (Red Cracker)

Volunteer Quotes

“What impresses me most about the Southall Orchard Project is that this event-organised planting of fruit trees in local parks has motivated people of many backgrounds and ages to join together in goodwill to create something which will provide long term benefit to all life.” Tana D Scott

“The orchard planting at Spikesbridge Park was a great community event, attended by Transition volunteers and members of the community with their children. A good selection of fruit trees planted and all well protected by strong metal cages. An added bonus were the spring flowers and bulbs planted round the bases of the trees which will enhance the overall effect.  The whole event was well organised and it was encouraging to see the support of the local MP and Mayor.” Joyce Rundell

“The volunteers were all encouraging and enthusiastic, so much so that we finished well on schedule before the dignitaries cut the ribbon! Passers-by certainly wanted to know what was going on and we’re impressed as well.” Peter Ward

This phase of the project was carried out with support from the Mayor of London’s Greener City Fund and MyPlaygreen – Timberland, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation. We are are also grateful to Kerry Foods/ Noon Products Ltd for their donation.