Southall Park Orchard – Officially Declared Open
On 5th March 2016 we successfully completed phase 1 of the Southall Orchard Project. The Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Harbhajan Kaur Dheer returned to unveil a new ‘interpretation board’. We were also joined by the Mayor’s consort and Deputy Leader of Ealing Council, Cllr Ranjit Dheer, Varendra Sharma, MP for Ealing Southall, Dr Onkar Sahota, GLA member for Ealing and Hillingdon and Cllr Swarn Kang
In addition to help from the Ealing Park Rangers and the Tree Council, we were again joined by Southall Community Alliance for this final stage of planting. The real stars however were the many local people who came from all over Southall and nearby towns. Luckily the damp weather did not dampen the mood of those who attended and actually had great fun working together in an outdoor setting. It was particularly uplifting to see so many young and elderly people showing the way, in how communities can look after their towns and environments.
Susan Wyatt, Community Champions Coordinator at Ealing Council runs the ‘Tree Warden’ scheme for the borough. She said “there was a lot of camaraderie and fun to be had in just a few hours” and “what a legacy to leave to future generations!”.
As a result of every ones efforts, Southall Park now boasts 44 fruit/nut trees and over 2000 fruiting hedges of various varieties. We now look forward to seeing the community benefit when it becomes time to harvest.
The Southall Park Orchard nears completion. On 6th February more fruiting hedges were planted in another section of the park. These were complimented by apple and pear trees. Thanks again to all our fantastic volunteers.
Phase one of the Southall Orchard Project will be completed on 5th March 2016. The Mayor of Ealing, Harbhajan Kaur Dheer will return for the official opening of the community orchard.
Please join us at Southall Park from 11am. Registered volunteers will receive free refreshments.
Shrubs planted at Southall Park
Saturday 23rd January 2016
On Saturday 23rd January our volunteers were hard at work again. The next phase in the creation of the Southall Park Orchard entailed the planting of shrubs around the periphery of Villiers High School and their Multi Use Games Area. Students from the school were on hand to assist.
What’s Next?
The Southall Park Community Orchard is now well under way but not yet complete. More trees are coming to Southall Park. The next planting days are on:
Saturday 6th February 2016, 11am.
A large number of fruit trees and fruiting hedges will be planted.
Saturday 5th March 2016, 11am.
Phase one of the Southall Orchard Project will be completed and the Southall Park Community Orchard will be officially opened by The Mayor of Ealing and other dignitaries. A new ‘interpretation board’ will also be unveiled. We expect over a hundred people to attend this event.
Southall Park Community Orchard takes shape
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.
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.
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.
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.
southalltransition.org 