Party celebrates opening of community orchard

Around 100 people from the local community enjoyed a barbecue, live music and lawn games to mark the special event.

Volunteers have planted apple, pear, plum, cherry and damson trees to transform land off Mobberley Road into a new shared asset, Crosstown Community Orchard.

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Deputy town mayor Cllr Mike Houghton said: “I have lived in Knutsford 25 years and the passion and dedication of local people who are always willing to step forward, volunteer and help in maintaining and developing our wonderful town never ceases to amaze me.”

Laura Chandler, Lesley Dalzell, Lyndsay and Adam Keppel-Green, deputy town mayor Cllr Mike Houghton, James Booth mayor's cadet, Jo Moonan and Ken Griffiths

Visitors enjoyed a barbecue run by 2nd Knutsford (Crosstown) Scouts, a range of lawn games including giant Jenga and Connect Four and traditional folk music performed by local musicians and singers.

Lower Moss Wood brought their resident owls for families to meet and provided an opportunity to learn about another local charity.

Ian Daniells from Lower Moss Wood introduces children to their resident owl

Adam Keppel-Green, chairman of Crosstown Community Orchard, outlined the work that the trustees and volunteers had undertaken in the last six months which included planting 38 fruit trees, 105 foraging tree saplings and installing bird feeders and boxes.

Plans for the next six months include installing two picnic tables, planting spring flowering bulbs, additional trees and fruit bushes.

2nd Knutsford Scouts ran a barbecue

The charity will also be hosting community workshops to teach pruning, jam making and other orchard related skills.

Adam said: "Last summer this was just an idea I had in my head, but thanks to the work of my fellow trustees and the efforts of our volunteers we’ve brought that idea to life.

Musicians and singers entertained visitors with traditional folk music

“It was incredibly rewarding to welcome the community into the orchard at our launch event. This was what our work was for and we were all so proud at the end of the day.

“Our thanks go to everyone who joined us for the day and especially to Lower Moss Wood, 2nd Knutsford Scouts and the musicians.

“I’d also like to thank my fellow trustees and all the volunteers who have helped transform the space over the past six months and turn an idea into a reality.”