New trees planted in Pleasaunce memorial orchard

Tree planting ceremony in East Greenwich Pleasaunce (Photo: Lara Ruffle)

EAST GREENWICH Pleasaunce’s orchard is growing – with the addition of six new trees.

The new trees were planted in the Pleasaunce’s Memorial Orchard yesterday afternoon by volunteers. They gathered in the Green Flag-awarded park to add to the orchard that was first established in December 2010.

The planting of one plum, one pear, one gage and three apple trees takes the orchard’s tree tally to twelve.

Expert guidance was provided by the London Orchard Project while helpers dug, planted and erected tree guards.

Gavin McGregor from Transition Westcombe commented:

“David from the London Orchard Project sang the expanded orchard a welcome with a wassailing song, and the trees themselves were doused, as is tradition, with cider.

“It is hoped that, as it matures, the orchard will become a focus for community activities in the Pleasaunce, such as an Apple Day and new year wassailing events.”

The orchard, which is a joint project by the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce and Transition Westcombe, has benefited from a grant from the council’s Greenwich Pride award scheme and also had financial support from the Capital Growth scheme.

Volunteers will be needed to help water the trees throughout the Spring and Summer – email Gavin McGregor for more details.

Thanks to Lara Ruffle for the photo. You can see more pictures and read Lara’s account of the day on her blog.