A brand-new Community Orchard has opened in Peasedown St John, thanks to a partnership between the Peasedown Community Trust and social housing landlord, Curo.

Located opposite The Hive Community Centre, over 30 fruit trees were planted on the site before Christmas.

Chairman of the Trust, Gavin Heathcote, said: "Trees are one of the best solutions to our climate emergency. They improve poor air quality, alleviate the risk of flooding, lock up carbon, boost our wellbeing – making us feel healthier and happier, and create habitats for wildlife.

Thanks to everyone, including volunteers from the primary school and village's environment group, who came along to our action day to help plant the trees.

Over the next 12 months, the Trust will be continuing our campaign to raise awareness of the environment and the need to look after it."

The trees feature a variety of apple, plum and other species, plus wild nuts which are planted around the outside of the site. The project also includes a seating area where residents can sit, relax and enjoy the many benefits of being in a community orchard. Children will be able to pick fruit on their way to school.

The Community Trust would like to thank the following organisations for their help and support with the creation of the orchard:

Jackson's Fencing, Chilcompton

Massey Wilcox Transport, Chilcompton

AJ & SME & CJ Franks Fir Tree Farm, Blakeway near Wedmore

Wilkins & Sons Lands End Farm, Mudgle, Wedmore

Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown) is a fellow Trustee and Chairwoman of B&NES Council's Climate Emergency & Sustainability Panel. She added:

"A lot of our campaign work in Peasedown over the last year has been focussed on creating a greener community. We've either planted or earmarked sites to plant 200 trees locally, plus we're on target to plant 500 trees in Peasedown in time for HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June.

This new orchard is a wonderful space where children and their parents can visit, plus older members of the community can spend time in."

For more details, visit the Peasedown Community Trust Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PeasedownCommunityTrust