During the pandemic we’ve partnered with Manchester Council (HERE) to deliver four new community orchards as a year-long engagement programme of training and events programmes for local residents and new orchard leaders. While we’ve battled with the challenges of planting in a pandemic – all the trees got in the ground thankfully – we’re now set for a summer of events and very much looking forward to some fantabulous ‘Apple Day’ events this Autumn.
With introductions to our accredited training – the C.I.C.O course – and a myriad of pruning, grafting and celebrations events it’s been a great partnership thus far. We’ve written a report on the progress which you can read at the link below.
CLICK THE LINK (RIGHT) TO READ/DOWNLOAD THE REPORT: TreeActionManchester_SpringReport_2021_v1
Dave Barlow, Senior Policy Officer Lead on the green infrastructure and biodiversity, environment, planning and infrastructure team at Manchester Council has joined us on many of the planting days and he’s been writing an excellent blog (HERE) to keep up with the pace of the project. Together we’ve already identified potential projects for next year in Philips Park and Levenshulme and together we have a desire to meet the need in the north of the borough in phase two, set to begin in January 2022. If you know of keen groups with access to a green-space or pocket park – that currently lacks a community orchard – and they live north of the city centre – then get in touch with our project manager Dan Hasler: dan@theorhardproject.org.uk