We read lots about how planting trees is good for the planet by cleaning the air, promoting biodiversity, lowering temperatures and reducing rain runoff. Let’s not forget how trees can also be enjoyed by local people. Neighbourhood woodlands and orchards bring more people to green spaces, provide healthy activities for mind and body and can help bring communities together.
As times change, with food security becoming an increasing concern, growing fruit trees has become a higher priority. Community orchards are growing across the country. They are a significant sustainable practice helping reduce food miles by locally growing trees that feed us like apples, pears, cherry plums, gages, walnuts, and mulberries. With the reality of a spiralling cost of living free food becomes increasingly valuable.
In springtime this year an upwelling of several local residents started discussing tree planting possibilities in Rye and their synergy efforts have led to plans for the planting of three community fruit orchards in our town in early 2025.
The three chosen sites are Tilling Green, Mill Salts and Town Salts (old pitch and putt) and are the result of collaborations and consultation between a number of local organisations with funding awarded by the executors of the Bernard Nevill estate. The projects are all led by Brighton Permaculture Trust who have been responsible for 130 fruit orchard projects across East Sussex over the last 21 years and are being provided at no cost to our town or the residents.
Working with East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, Southern Housing Group, Tilling Green Residents Association, Rye Partnership and local elected officials, all the legal hurdles have been jumped, surveys are completed, planting plans have been drawn up and community engagement is now underway at the three sites.
Brighton Permaculture Trust are providing free training for local people to help care for the trees over the next three years and along with local groups we invite anyone interested to help us plant and maintain the trees. Let’s step up to provide a free healthy harvest of fruit for our communities and a way for local children to learn all about trees as they watch them grow.
If you and your family want to get involved please contact us. The trees look good too!
Thank you!
Graham Ellis:
Email: communitycompostsolutions@gmail.com
Tel: 07733 433004
Image Credits: PXhere CC , Brighton Permaculture Trust .
Well done Graham, the community orchards will be a great asset, more trees please!