The Pennine Oaks group in Barrowford is set to make a meaningful contribution to local foodbanks by donating fresh fruit and homemade jam from their next harvest. This initiative is part of a broader community effort to promote sustainability and provide for those in need. It follows their successful application for 19 fruit trees from Lancashire County Council’s special orchards fund, which supports schools, faith-based organizations, community groups, and local councils in planting orchards across the region.
Pennine Oaks’ plans are not only about growing fruit but also about fostering a sense of community involvement and environmental stewardship. Their orchard will be planted with the help of local schoolchildren, giving young people a unique opportunity to engage with nature and learn about food production firsthand. By allowing the community to pick the fruit for free, and using part of the harvest to make jam for foodbanks, Pennine Oaks is setting an example of how local efforts can address both environmental and social challenges simultaneously.
The fruit trees provided by Lancashire County Council are part of a wider initiative to enhance the county’s green spaces while promoting local food security. Groups can apply for up to 25 trees, selecting from a variety of species such as apple, pear, damson, plum, cherry, and heritage varieties. Some species can even bear fruit within the first year of planting, providing immediate benefits to the community. The planting season for these trees runs from October to March, making this an ideal time for interested groups to apply. With nearly £30,000 of the available funding already allocated, around £19,000 remains, and applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds run out.
Saba Iftilchar, a long-time community advocate with Pennine Oaks, expressed her excitement about the project. She explained that, after working in the community for over 15 years, primarily to encourage people to get outside and engage with green spaces, this orchard initiative represents a natural extension of her work. The involvement of local schoolchildren is particularly important to her, as it provides an educational component to the project, teaching young people about the importance of sustainability, agriculture, and the environment. Saba initially applied for 25 trees but, after consulting with Lancashire County Council’s Treescapes team, determined that 19 trees would be a more suitable number for the size of the site.
The partnership between Pennine Oaks and the Treescapes team highlights the importance of community and government collaboration in achieving environmental goals. Cllr Shaun Turner, who leads Lancashire County Council’s environmental efforts, visited the Pennine Oaks group along with Jenni from the Treescapes team. During the visit, they discussed how the council’s support extends beyond simply providing trees. In addition to the fruit trees, the council supplies essential materials like stakes, guards, ties, and mulch, ensuring that each tree has the best possible chance to thrive. This comprehensive support system is designed to help community groups succeed in their efforts to create sustainable, long-lasting orchards that will continue to benefit the community for years to come.
Cllr Turner emphasized the importance of these grants in enabling a wide variety of community groups to apply for up to 25 trees, including schools, faith organizations, voluntary groups, and even parish and town councils. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to encourage the planting of orchards and green spaces, which in turn contribute to the fight against climate change, improve biodiversity, and promote healthier lifestyles through access to fresh, locally grown produce. The fruit trees provide a sustainable food source, and their presence in local communities also serves as a catalyst for further environmental initiatives.
The impact of community orchards goes beyond the immediate benefits of fruit production. These orchards offer an opportunity for people to come together, share knowledge, and take collective action to improve their local environment. In areas like Barrowford, where Pennine Oaks operates, the orchards provide a focal point for community engagement. The planting of the trees by schoolchildren will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among young people, encouraging them to take an active role in the stewardship of their environment. This hands-on experience with nature is invaluable in today’s digital age, where children often have fewer opportunities to engage with the natural world.
For the wider community, the fruit trees will provide free, fresh fruit for everyone to enjoy. This is particularly significant at a time when food prices are rising, and many families are struggling with food insecurity. By making fresh produce freely available, community orchards like the one at Pennine Oaks are helping to bridge the gap for those in need. Additionally, the plan to use part of the fruit harvest to make jam for local foodbanks ensures that even more people can benefit from the project. The homemade jam, made from locally grown fruit, not only provides a nutritious food source but also highlights the potential for communities to use their resources creatively to address social issues.
The initiative also speaks to the growing movement towards sustainability and self-sufficiency. As concerns about climate change and environmental degradation continue to mount, projects like Pennine Oaks’ orchard are becoming increasingly important. By planting fruit trees, communities are contributing to carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and supporting local wildlife. The trees also help to beautify public spaces, making them more inviting for residents and visitors alike.
Moreover, the Pennine Oaks project demonstrates the power of community-driven solutions to address complex challenges. While large-scale government policies and international agreements are critical in the fight against climate change, local actions like this orchard initiative can have a significant impact on both the environment and people’s lives. The orchard will serve as a model for other communities across Lancashire, showing how relatively small projects can lead to meaningful change.
Lancashire County Council’s orchards fund is part of a larger trend in the UK towards supporting community-led environmental initiatives. Across the country, similar programs are helping to create new green spaces, restore habitats, and promote sustainable agriculture. These initiatives are often driven by a desire to reconnect people with nature and create more resilient, self-sufficient communities. The council’s support for groups like Pennine Oaks reflects a growing recognition of the importance of grassroots efforts in tackling environmental and social issues.
The remaining £19,000 in funding from the orchards fund presents a valuable opportunity for other schools, community groups, and councils to get involved. By applying for trees, these organizations can contribute to the creation of a network of orchards across Lancashire, each one providing fresh fruit, enhancing local biodiversity, and fostering a stronger sense of community. The trees themselves, with their potential to bear fruit within the first year, offer immediate benefits, while their long-term presence will continue to enrich the local environment for decades to come.
In conclusion, the Pennine Oaks group’s donation of fresh fruit and homemade jam to local foodbanks represents much more than a simple act of charity. It is part of a broader effort to create a more sustainable, resilient, and connected community. Through the planting of fruit trees and the involvement of schoolchildren, Pennine Oaks is fostering a deeper understanding of the environment and encouraging local residents to take an active role in its stewardship. With the support of Lancashire County Council and the Treescapes team, this initiative is poised to have a lasting impact on both the environment and the well-being of the Barrowford community. As more groups across Lancashire take advantage of the orchards fund, the benefits of these small, community-driven projects will continue to grow, creating a greener, healthier future for all.