19/3/2009LET GLASGOW BLOSSOM!
John Hancox from 'The Children's Orchard' talks about the apple trees to a captivated audience
Children from Merrylee Primary, planted 2 apple trees in their new school playground as part of the Commonwealth Orchard Project. The project aims to help everyone, especially children, plant 2014 fruit trees across the country to make Glasgow and indeed Scotland a more fruitful place and at the same time create a positive grassroots legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Orchard is the idea of John Hancox, of the Children’s Orchard, “Our vision is to Let Glasgow Blossom! The idea isn’t just about planting the trees, but also people learning to look after them, pick and use the fruit and to realise that fruit actually grows on trees. It’s playing on the word Commonwealth – it’s about making everyone’s life richer. We are looking for community groups, schools, and others to fund raise to get the money together to be able to plant the trees, and also want to get together groups of volunteers to look after the trees and learn how to graft and prune them. The Commonwealth Orchard is a great way to contribute to making Glasgow a more pleasant and fruitful place”.
The apple trees reflect the ethos of the pioneering natural play area, currently under construction at Merrylee Primary which will be used as a pilot for future playgrounds in schools throughout Scotland. Headteacher Liz Mahindru said ‘I am delighted that our children will be able to watch these trees growing and then enjoy the apples they produce. Another great learning feature within our own grounds!’
For more information on the Commonwealth Orchard project please visit the website www.commonwealthorchard.com – or contact john@commonwealthorchard.com.
From left, Fraser Faulds P6, Aiden Smith P7 and Michaela McIntosh P7 preparing the compost for the apple trees
From left, Christie Wishart P7, Tierney Mcletchie P6 and Hannah Gibson P6 digging the hole for the tree with guidance from George Kay, Volunteer and uncle of the HeadTeacher