A new community orchard is being planted at Horsbere Brook and people are invited to come along to help plant the trees this Saturday.
The site, view primarily a flood alleviation scheme is jointly managed by the Environment Agency and Gloucester City Council. The City Council is now taking responsibility for managing part of the site as a nature reserve to benefit the local community and wildlife around the area.
Eleven local varieties of Perry Pear tree will be planted onsite, which will form a new orchard enabling future generations to enjoy what was once a common component of the Severn Vale landscape.
Not only are Perry pears a beautiful feature in the spring but they can also be made into delicious Perry, and as they mature they become fantastic habitats for wildlife
The Perry Pear trees will be part of wider habitat creation that will see the planting of a community woodland and a hazel coppice.
Coppicing is one of the oldest forms of forestry, with woven hazel screens used for fishing having been dated back to 5,000 BC.
The planting will take place between 10am until midday on Saturday 19th December and people can meet by the double field gate at 10am. Please bring a spade if you wish to take part.
Cllr Jim Porter, cabinet member for environment said: “This is a great opportunity for us help the environment with local vegetation.”
“The trees will be the start of a community woodland and I hope that this will be a really positive growth for the wildlife living there.”
“Anyone who wants to attend is more than welcome to join in and we hope to make this a great community space.”
The site is Horsbere Brook Flood Alleviation, Barnwood Link Road, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4BJ. (Southbound just beyond the railway bridge)