Eating the fruit of their labours

The Pickering Road Community Orchard

A community orchard is helping people to get healthy by growing their own apples and other fruit.

The Pickering Road Community Orchard was established in April 2003 on derelict ground in west Hull.

The project grew out a healthy eating initiative funded by the Hull NHS Primary Care Trust and the city council.

The orchard has 400 trees, mainly apple, but with a few pear, cherry and plum trees.

The focus is on British varieties of fruit, with over 35 different types of apple.

It is run completely by volunteers, who help with the planting and maintenance of the trees. Volunteers get to take some of the fruit home at harvest time; the rest is distributed to local schools and nursing homes.

You're exercising your body all the time. You're out in the fresh air. Sue Goddard, volunteer

As well as helping people improve their diet, the orchard encourages people to get active outdoors.

Sue Goddard, one of the volunteers, said she looks forward to her weekly visits: "You're exercising your body all the time. You're out in the fresh air. You learn patience, as you are waiting for things to grow.

"It does de-stress you. It's very good if you're a bit wound up from modern life."

As well as the trees the site contains a wildlife garden, picnic area and bird boxes.

Gordon Hazel is treasurer of the orchard. He has been involved from the start and has seen the transformation of the site from derelict land "like the Somme" to a peaceful oasis for both people and wildlife.

Project treasurer Gordon Hazel inspects the trees

"In the summer time when the blossoms are on the tree it's marvellous," said Mr Hazel.

"We've got foxes running around and all the different birds you want to see and of course there's the friendship and making new friends."

The site runs various events and open days during the year, including Wassailing, when local Pagans bless the oldest tree in the orchard with cider, songs and dancing.