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Andrew's Orchard

Andrew’s Orchard is a community orchard supported by our community, passed onto future communities and will be treasured forever.

orchard
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Below is the plan of the orchard:

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Trees are one of our best natural defences against climate change and tackling and reversing the destruction of our world’s forests.  Working together to plant more carbon-storing, wildlife-protecting, pollution-guzzling trees MUST be at the heart of our community.

Why plant an orchard?

For those families new to St Mary’s, you may be wondering why we are planting an orchard.  On March 1st 2021, very suddenly, our former Executive Headteacher died.  This had a devastating impact on our whole community.  We would like to remember Mr Henstridge by planting an oak tree in his name, surrounded by 50 fruit trees that will bore fruit for years to come.  These 51 trees  will represent Andrew Henstridge’s 51 years of life.  We will name the orchard, Andrew’s Orchard.  We will never forget Mr Henstridge for the love and the light that shone from him.

 

mrhenstridge

Andrew Henstridge 1969 - 2021

"Love is more powerful, love gives life, love makes hope blossom in the wilderness." Pope Francis 

Phase 1 - Preparing the ground - November 2021

Uneven waste land Uneven waste land Digger begins work Digger begins work Clearing the ground Clearing the ground Levelling the ground Levelling the ground Ready for an orchard Ready for an orchard

Phase 2 - Tree Planting Week with the community - Saturday 4th December 2021

Tree planting week finally arrived for our school community to come together on a sunny Saturday morning to plant 50 fruit trees and 1 oak tree.  Although it was cold, muddy and very sticky - we achieved a lot and safely laid all 51 trees to bed, as Alan explained, tucking them up well.  Younger plants will establish themselves quickly and we can now sit back and watch them grow.

Early morning start Early morning start Breakfast Breakfast How to plant a tree... How to plant a tree... Take a tree Take a tree Let's get going... Let's get going... Find your spot Find your spot dig dig dig dig dig dig Keep smiling Keep smiling Dip it in solution Dip it in solution Ex pupils of St Mary's Ex pupils of St Mary's Watch how it's done Watch how it's done Work as a team Work as a team Dig your hole Dig your hole Admire your work Admire your work Give us a wave Give us a wave Don't give up Don't give up Give it some wellie Give it some wellie Family Planting Family Planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Alan with the Oak Alan with the Oak Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting Family planting All families All families Covered in mud Covered in mud All families All families

Phase 3 - planting a natural hedgerow around the orchard

We have ordered 670 native hedgerow plants to include: hawthorn, field maple, dogwood, blackthorn, spindle, wayfaring tree, hazel and crab apple.  Watch this space...

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swindon | Hosted by New Era Technology | DB Primary | DB Learning Library

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