New community orchard for St Helier

The orchard, on the St Helier Open Space near Tweeddale Road, contains 12 mature fruit trees and numerous saplings which will continue to grow for future generations. Residents will  now be able to enjoy watching the orchard grow, as well as picking their own healthy snacks. 

The project has been funded by the St Helier, The Wandle and The Wrythe Local Committee, which previously funded the outdoor gym on the St Helier open space. The committee supports projects proposed by local residents to improve the area and strengthen St Helier’s community.

Cllr Jean Crossby, councillor for St Helier ward, named the orchard ‘The St Helier and Tweeddale Orchard’ in recognition of the hard working students who helped plant the trees. 

Councillors Annie Moral – Vice Chair of the Local Committee – and Martin Gonzalez, one of the three ward councillors In St Helier, both said they were pleased to provide another way for residents to enjoy their Open Spaces. 

Councillor Moral added: “This Orchard is the first of many projects in the Community that will help to promote a sense of wellbeing and have health benefits. Tweedale students, local Councillors and the David Weir Leisure centre working alongside one another to plant the new trees is a great example of community cohesion.”

For more information on what your Local Committee does and how to get involved, click here.