On Thursday 23rd January, children from three local primary schools joined Gift to Nature and the organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival to plant a new community orchard at Pan Country Park.
Festival organisers, Solo, have funded the trees as part of their commitment to the environment. Pupils, aged 5-11 years, planted a variety of apple trees to create ‘Festival Orchard’, close to Lavendar Way, Newport. Rangers from Gift to Nature were on hand to help.
Seven varieties of apple have been chosen, including Howgate Wonder, an Isle of Wight variety. In spring, the blossom will attract pollinators and later in the year the community may pick the ripe fruit.
Brian Friend, Chairman of Natural Enterprise, said, ’We are pleased to have worked with the Isle of Wight Festival to develop a new orchard that will benefit both the wildlife and the people who visit.’