The Grangefield receives new orchard to celebrate Queen’s Jubilee
Students from Grangefield Primary School helped to plant a new fruit tree orchard at the Grangefield – an area of public open space in Bishop’s Cleeve – as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a nation-wide initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, which invites people to ‘plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.
Over 20 fruit trees were planted over the weekend and will complement an existing fruit tree orchard at the site.
Members of Transition Cleeve, a local initiative focusing on community projects in Bishop’s Cleeve and surrounding villages, and Gloucestershire Orchard Trust began planting the new orchard on Saturday, 19 March, before students from Grangefield Primary planted the rest of the trees on Monday, 21 March.
The Grangefield, owned and predominantly managed by Tewkesbury Borough Council, has undergone several significant improvements over the last few years, thanks to funding provided by the European Regional Development Fund and the council itself.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Jim Mason, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative is a wonderful way of marking Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. The new fruit trees will enhance the Grangefield environment and create a legacy that will benefit generations to come.
“Our special thanks go to Transition Cleeve who will be looking after the orchard – they already do a fantastic job maintaining the existing trees, so we can be sure it is in good hands.”
Councillor Helen Munro, ward member for Cleeve Grange, said: “The fruit trees to be planted on our fabulous Grangefield will leave a lasting legacy in celebration of the Queen’s leadership of our nation.
“Tress are an essential part of helping to tackle the climate emergency facing us and I am a pleased that the council is playing its part. I hope the trees will inspire us all.”
Karen Lewis, Headteacher at Grangefield Primary School, said: “We are very happy to be involved in this initiative. The Grange Field is a great place to walk for the local community.
“The orchard will be a living legacy for the Grangefield children of today and the future to enjoy.”
