Holywood Transition Town has a vision of the town and district becoming a community orchard.
Residents are being encouraged to buy apple and other fruit trees and plant them in their garden. A wide range of fruit trees are available to encourage bio-diversity and enhance the environment. Just imagine May time when the apples are in full bloom in gardens across the town and surrounding districts!
But the real added bonus will be the autumn when you can pick your own full-flavoured apples. If you are worried about having too many you can share them with your neighbours, use them for cooking or turn them into pure juice using the community fruit press which is currently being built by Holywood Men's Shed for all to use.
The first assignment of bare root apple trees arrived on 8 February. Robin Masefield is pictured with the fruit trees just after they arrived. They are now being collected by the 8 or so people who took advantage of the bulk purchase initiative. In due course classes will take place for those who want to learning about planting, feeding and pruning their trees. Even if you have existing apple and fruit trees why not join the classes? Everyone is encouraged to get involved as it is a great community initiative which helps the environment with the added health benefit of being able to pick your own fresh fruit.
For more information please contact: Paul O'Neill (paulon7458@hotmail.co.uk) or Sacha Workman (sw@meenacahan.co.uk)