GREEN-FINGERED volunteers at a Berkswell farm planted apple trees donated from a cider company.
Spencers Retreat Farm were donated five saplings from Thatchers Community Orchard Project, a charitable arm of cider maker Thatchers, which is helping community groups, schools and charities across the UK to plant more trees this Spring.
Steve Lee, trustee of the Langdale Trust which Spencer’s Retreat is part of, was one of the volunteers from the six acre farm who was on planting duty.
He said: “We want to thank Thatchers for supporting Spencers Retreat Farm with their very kind donation of apple trees.
“At harvest time when the trees bear fruit we will encourage our visitors and volunteers to pick some to enjoy at home.”
The Berkswell farm aims to support the families and carers of children with special needs by providing a safe place amongst an area of tranquility where they can play and engage with about 30 farm animals such as sheep, pigs, goats, horses and an alpaca.
This is the third year Thatchers have offered apple trees to groups through its Community Orchard Project and this year 500 trees have found their way all over the UK including Spencers Retreat farm at Berkswell.
Fourth generation cider maker, Martin Thatcher, who planted his first apple tree at the age of five added “From a single apple tree to a community orchard, it can make such a difference to people’s well-being which is why we’re delighted to be donating these apple trees through our Community Orchard Project.”
