Art Gene invites families and adults to Allotment Soup, its community growing space on Walney Island, to plant – and to toast – a new orchard this weekend.
With the community’s help, the charity hopes to plant 50 new apple trees, mainly Cumbria and Lancashire heritage varieties, and a new length of native hedgerow.
The project aims improve biodiversity on Walney Island, give nature a helping hand, and create a valuable new community asset that will serve the community for years to come.
The planting session takes place tomorrow, Saturday March 14, between 2pm and 4pm.
Maddi Nicholson, director of Art Gene, said: “Planting trees is a hopeful act. On the day, we’ll ask helpers to write down their wishes for the future and to bury them with the tree that they plant.
“They will label the variety for future visitors and be invited to raise a toast to the new trees with apple juice or cider to ensure they grow well.”
“We hope local families with have an attachment to the tree or trees that they put in the ground, help to water them in the first year, and in future years come back to harvest them and make apple juice to share with the community.
“All are welcome to join us for what should be positive and purposeful afternoon.”
Gloves and tools will be provided. Helpers should wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.
Art Gene, an arts charity with sustainability at the heart of its practice, has leased additional fields from Westmorland and Furness Council to extend its current successful Allotment Soup site on Walney Island.
Established and run by volunteers, this year, Allotment Soup celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Hot soup made from last year’s bumper crop will be available to volunteers or people who want to drop in to meet others in the community.
Allotment Soup: the Isle of Walney Growing Space is on Mill Lane, opposite the fire station, on Walney Island.
