Fruit-loving residents have planted rare apple and pear trees in their gardens in a tree planting project backed by local firms.
Helped by Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, 57 species of apples and pears were planted on March 21 and 22, as part of the community-wide #ThameTrees project – with the hope of rekindling rare apple and pear species at the same.
Gardens across Thame, Moreton, Brill, Princes Risborough and Sydenham benefited from the scheme to supply fruit trees to local homes. Community support organisation 21st Century Thame is leading the #ThameTrees project, with the aim of planting 5,000 trees across the area. The trees were planted in 20 gardens, with 13 going to an orchard. The rare species – some of which date back several hundred years – include cooking apple Bazeley, dual-purpose Thame Market Apple, and dessert apple Oxford Beauty. Swan’s Egg was one of five pear varieties also planted.
Forty-five fruit trees were bought using a £1,000 donation from Thame-based power distribution firm Lucy Electric. There were smaller donations came from other local firms. Bernwode Fruit Trees, of Ludgershall, supplied the rare apple and pear trees at a discounted rate, and donated a further 12 trees to the scheme. Ten silver birch trees came from Waterperry Gardens.
A host of local companies and individuals pulled together to ensure the project’s success. Garden machinery supplier Oak Garden Machinery, of Rycote Lane, loaned a trailer and master thatcher Thame Thatch donated the use of a pick-up truck. Thame removals Banana Move and Thame marketing consultancy Hamster Lips helped collect and deliver the trees to homes.
Dan Gonzalez, project coordinator, said, ‘It was wonderful to see so many people getting stuck in. This is very much a community project bringing communities together. The environmental impact is also important in that the result of this planting means we can resuscitate and rekindle species that have been dwindling.’
Brill resident Tania Gibson, who added to her existing fruit orchard with 13 new trees, said she planned to press the first apples grown from the trees and share the pressed juice with volunteers who had helped with planting. ‘There’ll be a little celebration. It was a team effort. There’s something good about giving fruit back once its grown,’ she said.
Derek Tolman, who runs Bernwode Fruit Trees with his wife Judy, said they were happy to support a worthy local enterprise. ‘If we can supply a tree that is rare, then it may still be in a garden in 200 years’ time,’ he said. ‘It’s great to think we could keep that particular species going.’
Sue Martin-Downhill, who oversees 21st Century Thame and #ThameTrees, said the fruit trees project had gained instant support from residents, volunteers and businesses in and around Thame. ‘The project took off from day one. This has been an incredible success. Thank you so much to everyone who’s been involved.’
