Volunteers at Ross-on-Wye Community Garden have been extremely busy recently, not just getting ready for the growing season ahead, but they have also planted a new orchard. The fruit trees have been kindly donated by Westons Cider and one of their employees, Tom Churchill helped volunteers at the garden to plant the fruit trees, a mixture of eating and cider apples. Tim Shelley, the Project Leader of the garden said: “We are delighted that a local company like Westons have so generously helped us with this project. The orchard looks fabulous, and adds another dimension to the project and will bring a tremendous amount of enjoyment to many individuals in the coming years.”

In the next few months Westons are hoping to provide regular volunteers for the garden and plans are already in place for a tour of Westons Cider Mill at Ledbury for those who regularly use the garden. The garden is a social and therapeutic gardening project set up and run by Haygrove, a soft fruit grower based in Ledbury.

On the three acre site, in the centre of Ross, adults with learning disabilities and mental health illnesses learn horticultural and work skills. The project also helps people to learn social and personal skills to help them find their way back into employment.

If anyone would like to get involved with the project, please contact Tim Shelley on 07972624378, or by email at [email protected].