Parish Council plan community orchard

The Parish Council is planning to plant more apple trees around the village beacon, creating a community orchard. It will add to the apple tree planted last year. All residents will be able to enjoy the blossom and the fruit of the trees planted at The Beacon. Volunteers will pick fruit regularly and take it to the monthly ‘Fridays’ Club at the Memorial Hall. Local children will also have the opportunity to be engaged in picking, cooking and taking home fruit. There will be publicity via Downton Facebook groups for families to pick your own. It is planned that there will be some recipe cards available. The Council has pointed out that: “Downton has some lovely trees in the community areas, but no orchard areas. The new apple trees will belong to the community.”

The Council is also applying for funding to plant further trees around the parish. A few trees will join the walnut tree in the playpark at Charlton All Saints. Some small trees will be added to the cemetery, to help promote a sense of calm, peace and contemplation there. In the Memorial Hall Gardens, partial shade loving trees (Holly, Viburnum, & Hawthorn) will separate the play-park with the aim of encouraging a sense of peace and tranquillity. There are also plans to plant wild flowers next year in various locations around the village - the Green Network is working with the Parish Council on these plans. To look at the detailed planting plans click here.