Many thanks to Dorothy Gordon for submitting this article! Dorothy has written about the planting of the new community orchard at Biddulph Moor.

Biddulph Moor Community Orchard Enterprise, CORE in short, a group of volunteers formed during lockdown came together on Saturday 9th October to plant the foundations of their community orchard.

Over twenty volunteers lead by CORE group leader Dorothy MacLeod met at the village hall on Hot Lane to plant twenty fruit trees, consisting of cooking apples, eating apples, pear, plum and cherry on the village's adjoining recreation ground.

The project is also registered with BBC Countryfile's Plant Britain Scheme.

County Councillor Ian Lawson was pleased to endorse the application and was present on the day to help plant a tree and declare the Community Orchard open.

Moor First School pupil Sofia Baskerville, aged 9, who won a competition to design a logo for the CORE group, was also present to receive her prize of a Family Apple Tree and completed the planting ceremony.

The Biddulph Moor Community Association played host to the event, named All Gather In, at the village hall, where local residents were invited to meet up and enjoy a variety of displays from local charities, community groups and crafters, as well as a Vintage Tractor display complete with Striker Tank and music provided by the Biddulph Ukelele Group.

The village hall provided a variety of refreshments and the local Scout group served up a barbecue.

Mrs MacLeod said: "The day was hailed as a great success and the orchard will be a legacy for future generations to enjoy.

"Moor First School's Eco Club display clearly demonstrated the passion that our children have for environmental issues and confirms their commitment to Tackling Climate Change."

She thanked everyone for their support and interest and looks forward to developing the Community Orchard for all to enjoy.

Special thanks also was given to newly qualified volunteer photographer and BTEC student Henry Ecclestone for recording the day's events. Henry has an A level in Photography and Media Studies and hopes to pursue a career as a freelance photographer.

The next phase of the Community Orchard Project will take place in November, when a shipment of Native Wild Wood trees will be provided free of charge by the Woodland Trust.

This will be sufficient for a 25 metre double width hedgerow to provide additional shelter to the orchard trees and improve biodiversity.

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