Yahoo News Bute Park's new orchard 'taking shape' after trees destroyed by vandals
The first trees have been planted for a new orchard in Cardiff's Bute Park, with the site “taking shape” two years after the area was badly damaged by vandals. A total of 16 trees were planted including apple, pear and cherry varieties.
The idea for an orchard came from the community response to the attack on the park, which saw over 50 trees damaged. Jeremy Sparkes, who helped set up the Community Orchard for Bute Park Trust, said people wanted to “express their love and support for the park”, as well as replacing what had been destroyed.
A group of 45 people took part in the inaugural planting day in February, including a group of students who wanted to plant a tree in their student city and somebody who lost a family member the day before and felt it was a good way to remember them. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here
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The trust plans to run more planting events later in the year and hope to plant 60 to 70 trees over the next three years. They are also developing a community programme for when the trees are established, with a New Year’s wassail, apple day events in October and maybe some children’s storytelling sessions in future.
“It will be encouraging the community to recognise what part nature plays in our life cycle and our fruit,” said Mr Sparkes. In March the group held a wildflower sowing event with 30 people. Flowers were planted in the orchard and people were able to take home seeds too. Mr Sparkes said: “It is a link they have got. Something that is part of the bigger picture of the community orchard and the flowers.”
The orchard also connects to the history of Cardiff. Andrew Pettigrew, head gardener to the 3rd Marquess of Bute, included an orchard in the original park in the late 1800s. The Trust considered the original plans when designing the orchard. “We looked at what did Pettigrew have originally in the orchard there that they had planted. Secondly was to look at any other species that are native to Wales and thirdly look at what are more climate resilient,” said Mr Sparkes.
Information about upcoming Community Orchard events can be found on their social media pages and the Bute Park website.
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