Baughurst community comes together to plant orchard at Long Grove on February 8

In a heart-warming display of community spirit, more than 50 residents and friends of Baughurst braved the cold and rain earlier this month to transform a piece of land at Long Grove into a thriving orchard.

Led by Baughurst resident Kevin Elkins, the community came together on the morning of Saturday, February 8, to plant 22 fruit trees – including varieties of apple, plum, and pear – along with 250 hedgerow plants that were all donated by the Hampshire Forest Partnership.

Each tree was carefully staked and labelled, and plans are under way to add signage, tree guards, benches, and further plants in order to create what organisers hope will be “a serene space for locals to relax, enjoy and learn from nature”.

Children played a significant role in the day’s activities, eagerly helping with the planting and constructing bug hotels to attract beneficial wildlife.

Anne Ayres, one of the project’s proposers, expressed her joy at seeing the younger generation so excited and involved.

The orchard, a brainchild of the Baughurst Society, was brought to life with the support of Baughurst Parish Council.