Charity Establishes 50 Community Orchards in the City

A local charity has successfully established 50 community orchards throughout the city. These orchards aim to enhance green spaces, promote sustainability, and foster community engagement. By providing residents with access to fresh fruit and a shared space for social activities, the charity's initiative supports environmental conservation and community well-being. This project not only beautifies urban areas but also encourages residents to participate in and care for their local environment.

‍Reviving Community Orchards in Birmingham

Community orchards are making a comeback in Birmingham, spearheaded by the Fruit and Nut Village charity. This initiative aims to teach people how to grow their own food and contribute to climate change solutions. Founded in 2018, the charity has established over 50 sites, transforming spare bits of public land, allotments, and spaces outside churches and mosques into thriving orchards.

Fruit trees, bushes, and other perennial plants are now flourishing across the city. The long-term goal is to distribute the produce to those most in need, while also inviting local residents to pick some fruit for themselves. The charity's efforts are supported by teams of volunteers, including homeless individuals, who help maintain these sites.

At one of the newer orchards in Balsall Heath, volunteers from the Birmingham City Mission Care Centre, including homeless people, are making a difference. Ruth Buttery, deputy manager of the care centre, noted that many of its users lack access to their own gardens. Among the volunteers is Chrissie Elliot, a former drug user who has turned her life around with the support of the Christian charity. She enjoys being in the garden and planting, finding it a good way to occupy the minds of those still struggling with drug use. Buttery highlighted the sense of achievement volunteers feel after clearing an area or planting trees.

A few miles away in Stirchley, the Kingdom Forest Garden is one of Fruit and Nut Village’s more established sites. Here, volunteers grow a variety of produce, including apples, walnuts, whitecurrants, and rhubarb. They meet once a week, each with their own motivations for participating. Ruth Mottram, 40, has found the experience beneficial for her mental health. Stephen Gilliver, 75, appreciates the structure it brings to his retired life. The youngest volunteers, Ben, 6, and Dan, 3, enjoy planting, wood-chipping, and eating the fruit they help grow.

By planting trees and plants and encouraging biodiversity, the charity is also contributing to climate change mitigation. They use locally sourced wood chip to enrich the soil with carbon. Project leader Mr. Tilling explained that while volunteers may not join specifically to combat climate change, they learn about its importance during their involvement.

With sites in Stirchley, Balsall Heath, and Druids Heath, Fruit and Nut Village plans to expand to areas such as Hodge Hill. Future plans include partnering with organizations like Incredible Surplus to distribute the produce to those in need. The hope is that these edible landscapes will continue to be enjoyed by local communities for years to come, fostering sustainability and community engagement.

In summary, the return of community orchards to Birmingham is not only teaching people how to grow their own food but also addressing broader issues such as food security and climate change. Through the efforts of Fruit and Nut Village and its dedicated volunteers, these green spaces are revitalizing urban areas and providing fresh, local produce to the community.

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Source: bbc‍