Residents show their support as orchards bloom in honor of the King – Gloucestershire Live

In Tewkesbury, a wave of community effort has unfolded as residents come together to pay tribute to King Charles III by planting trees and creating new orchards. This act of unity has not only honored the monarch but has also fostered a strong sense of community spirit throughout the borough. From Highnam to Winchcombe, the landscape is being transformed with the addition of apple, pear, and cherry trees that symbolize growth and renewal.

Thanks to the support of the UK Government’s Coronation Community Orchard Scheme, new orchards and micro-woods are being established across Tewkesbury Borough. This initiative has brought together volunteers from various sectors, including schoolchildren, parish councils, and community organizations, to partake in this meaningful project. The tree planting serves as a living tribute to the coronation of King Charles III and embodies the collective effort of the community to commemorate this historic event.

Numerous sites within the borough, such as Highnam, Longford, Northway, Transition Cleeve, and Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, have seen the planting of several fruit trees. The selection of apple, pear, greengage, and cherry trees at these locations not only adds beauty to the surroundings but also contributes to the preservation of local heritage and ecosystem. Mark Oliver, chair at Gretton Village Association, expressed delight in participating in the Community Orchard scheme. He emphasized that the project not only united the community but will also provide future generations with an engaging and productive space for the annual ‘Apple Rock’ festival.

Councillor Cate Cody, the lead member for climate and ecology at Tewkesbury Borough Council, commended the community’s efforts in establishing these new orchards to enhance biodiversity and habitat. Orchards, she noted, are essential in promoting community cohesion and environmental stewardship. The council is dedicated to supporting tree planting, maintaining green spaces, and fostering overall well-being among residents.

The initiative, launched in 2024, serves as a meaningful way to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III while promoting long-term ecological sustainability and community engagement. In addition to planting trees, residents will be provided with guidance from the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust on how to care for their orchards. Each site is required to feature at least five fruit or nut trees and provide a benefit to the local community by allowing public access, facilitating school-based learning, or hosting events like fruit harvesting.

As the orchards continue to thrive and blossom, they stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and dedication within the community of Tewkesbury Borough. By coming together to plant trees in honor of King Charles III, residents have not only paid tribute to the monarch but have also sown the seeds of a stronger and more connected community that values nature, heritage, and collective action.