Residents in South Normanton will see be able to reap the rewards of an orchard planted in the town.
The Community Woodlands scheme provided by Bolsover District Council saw 50 trees planted by local school children on the South Street Recreation Ground.
Over 180 children, together with school staff and parents planted the fruit and nut trees, in what was the busiest day of planting yet for the scheme.
The school children also chose names for the trees they planted and stapled them to the posts. Of the trees planted, there was 35 fruit and nut trees and six native avenue trees along the path. Four sweet chestnut and five walnut trees were also planted in the path side avenue.
These are all specially bred grafted varieties that should provide edible nuts in three to four years. The trees were funded by the Tree Council and Woodland Trust, plus an additional six larger maple trees, purchased and planted by South Normanton Parish Council, who also provided additional labour and support, signage and transport.
The children were very enthusiastic and were a real credit to their school and community as they worked together to help dig the holes, break up the turf and then plant the new trees.
As a Labour party the environment plays a huge role in our ambitions to nurture nature and provide a lasting legacy for local communities. By creating orchards like this we can get children and local people interested in growing tree fruit, which provides a free source of food for all as well as creating habitat for birds and insects.
Labour locally is delivering. Labour in government will also deliver.