Leeds set to receive its 100th fruit orchard as charity digs in

Social enterprise Fruit Works helps communities in Leeds plant and maintain fruit trees. Working with Leeds City Council and local community groups this winter they are expanding the city’s collection of fruit orchards with an additional seven, to reach the 100-mark.

The initiative is part of the council’s ambition, started in 2020, to plant 5.8million trees as a response to the climate emergency. An additional 1,250 hectares of woodland will be created over 25 years, meaning the amount of woodland in Leeds will double over this time.

Fruit orchards planted within communities work to make spaces greener, but also as a way for the community to grow their own fruit.

Fruit Works are assisting volunteers from local community groups to plant 15 trees for each new orchard in January and February.

The new orchards will be planted at St Peter’s in Bramley, Wortley Recreation Ground, Great Preston, Armley Hill Top Moor, Crossgates, Reginald Park in Chapeltown and at Leeds Industrial Museum.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “These orchards will play an important role in their communities, providing fruit and enjoyable green space. Fruit Works are doing a great job in supporting the local volunteers in planting and teaching them how to care for the trees.

“We’re proud to soon officially be the city with the most orchards in the UK outside of London. It’s another step on our path toward planting 5.8million trees, that we started in 2020.”

Gini Morandi, from Fruit Works Co-operative, said: "We work with volunteers all over the city to plant, maintain and use community orchards. It's fantastic that we've almost reached the 100 milestone and will keep working towards the goal of everyone being 20 minutes from a community food growing.”

Simon Rickles, from Armley Common Right Trust, said: "Planting this orchard is a great way to get the community involved in our common land, and it's good to be part of a movement growing free fruit for all in our city.”

ENDS

The planting dates are:  St Peter's, Bramley (12 January), Wortley Rec (25 January), Great Preston (31 Jan & 1 Feb), Armley Hill Top Moor (2 February), Penda's Field, Crossgates (9 February), Reginald Park, Chapeltown (15 February), Leeds Industrial Museum (20 February).