LARNE COMMUNITY ORCHARD
In November 2022 during National Tree Week, volunteers from Larne Area Community Support Group, pupils from Roddensvale School, Councillor Maeve Donnelly, Gary from Inver Garden Centre and Staff from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council together began Larne's first Community Orchard in the Town Park, using remaining funding granted to Larne area Community Support Group from My Food Community's Food For Life Get Togethers and the Soil Association via Awards for All (National Lottery). We planted 8 heritage apple trees to begin the orchard and everyone had a fantastic day.
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration and takes place from 26 November – 4 December.
This marks the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year). As part of the initiative, people are encouraged to come together to celebrate and plant trees.
The hopes is with this new orchard it will support Larne Community Fridge and IncrEDIBLE Garden project, along with rewilding an area and providing fruit/food and education for both animals and people who will use this space.
We returned to plant more in February 2023, volunteers from Larne Area Community Support Group, alongside Cllr Maeve Donnelly, pupils from Roddensvale School, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council staff and Jack from Nourish NI came together today to help plant additional fruit bushes, raspberries, gooseberry and blackberry bushes kindly donated by our committee member Peter, and additional Pear and Plum trees via the Woodland Trust's Emergency Tree Fund through Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a collaborative project that will help with food sustainability, education, biodiversity, help to supply the community fridge and much more!
The sun shone as everyone worked together to provide a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Trees supplied from Inver Garden Centre.
'At Roddensvale we ensure our pupils learn about the environment and how to play their part in combating climate change. Trees are the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines. Like great carbon sinks, woods and forests absorb atmospheric carbon and lock it up for centuries through photosynthesis.
“Trees are good for people and the environment. They improve air quality by producing oxygen, storing carbon, moderating the effects of sun and wind, and cleaning the air by trapping dust, pollen and other pollutants. Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife such as birds, squirrels and invertebrates, as well as for people. We believe in taking a hands-on approach and leading by example.”
- Cllr Maeve Donnelly
