What began as a community planting day has blossomed into an inspiring new green space for the village: the Hurst Green Community Orchard. Nestled within the heart of the village park, the orchard was described by one local resident as ‘a wonderful start to hopefully more local environmental initiatives’ and another resident said ‘we’ve created a living legacy to King Charles III’s coronation’.

Over the course of a weekend, residents came together to plant 31 native and heritage fruit trees, laying the foundation for what is hoped to become a thriving community orchard for generations to enjoy.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Hurst Green Parish Council in collaboration with local residents and supported by grant funding from Rother District Council through DEFRA’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund, was more than just an act of tree planting. It was a symbol of unity, sustainability, and forward-thinking rural development.

Community orchards have been gaining popularity across the UK as part of the broader movement toward green living, local food resilience, and climate-conscious community action. Unlike ornamental plantings, orchards offer tangible benefits, from fresh fruit and wildlife habitat to educational opportunities and carbon sequestration.

In the case of Hurst Green, the orchard also stands as a commemorative project to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. A permanent plaque at the orchard’s entrance ensures that this green tribute will be remembered by future generations.

The planting includes a wide selection of apple, pear, plum, cherry, medlar, and black mulberry trees, chosen for their suitability to local soil conditions and importance to native wildlife.

The Parish Council consulted with horticultural experts to ensure these varieties will thrive long-term and provide ecological, aesthetic, and nutritional value.

A standout feature of the orchard is its commitment to universal accessibility. Making use of an existing all-weather path, this will enable  easy access for wheelchair users, those with mobility needs, parents with prams, and those residents who may require flat surfaces upon which to walk.

To further promote inclusivity, a mix of dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees were planted, allowing residents of all ages and abilities to engage with the orchard, whether picking fruit, attending a nature walk, or participating in future seasonal pruning sessions.

One of the most engaging parts of the project was the “Adopt-a-Tree” initiative, which invited families, individuals, and local groups to take ownership of their own tree. Participants helped plant their tree and pledged to water and care for it in the coming years.

‘It was a magical day’ said one local parent ‘Watching my children dig, plant ‘their tree’ was an unforgettable moment. It gave them a real sense of belonging and responsibility’.

A former resident whose daughter and niece planted a tree, commented on Facebook ‘We grew up in Hurst Green and our parents still live there, so for our children to have been able to plant a tree somewhere that means so much to us was so special… it really has been the highlight of the girls weekend!’

While the orchard will in the future add aesthetic value to the park, its primary mission extends far beyond appearances. It is intended to be a multi-functional space, supporting:

• Wildlife habitat creation – providing food and shelter for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds
• Educational opportunities – for the school, community groups, and nature enthusiasts
• Sustainable living goals – acting as a carbon sink and contributing to climate change resilience

To ensure the orchard thrives for years to come, the Parish Council has committed to integrating its care into the regular park maintenance budget. This includes, seasonal pruning and training, watering during dry spells, and monitoring tree health for pests or disease.

There are also plans to seek to form a volunteer group, which would allow residents to get involved with orchard care throughout the year. Workshops on fruit tree care, preserving, and harvest celebrations are being considered to maintain momentum and community engagement.

The orchard is also a proud part of the Coronation Living Heritage Fund, a national programme encouraging green spaces as tributes to the Coronation of King Charles III, an advocate of environmental sustainability. An information board and a permanent plaque installed at the orchard’s entrance marks this connection, serving as both a commemorative feature and a reminder of the power of local action in addressing global challenges.

Parish Councillor Andrew Brown, praised the community involvement adding ‘the response to this project has been amazing. Seeing so many residents engaged with the planting has been fantastic. The orchard will not only serve as a space for nature and reflection, but in time, will also provide free food for the community.’

The Parish Council extends its thanks to everyone who participated. This project was made possible thanks to grant funding from Rother District Council, through DEFRA’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund.

Hurst Green’s orchard may seem small in scale, but it stands as a powerful example of what communities can achieve when they work together. In the face of climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss, local solutions like this have global relevance.

And most importantly, they foster pride, participation, and resilience – values that rural communities have long upheld and now reaffirm in new, meaningful ways. 

Whether you planted a tree, shared a watering can, or just cheered from the sidelines, the orchard belongs to you, and its future success depends on ongoing community involvement. Here’s how you can help:

• Join the volunteer group once it gets up and running
• Share your fruit recipes and stories with theHurst parish newsletter
• Respect the space and help keep it clean and safe for all

In an age where headlines often focus on division and crisis, the creation of the Hurst Green Community Orchard stands as a beacon of cooperation, and proactive change. It reminds us that small trees, when planted together, can grow into something truly magnificent.

So the next time you pass by the orchard, take a moment to walk the path, breathe in the green, and perhaps in years to come pick an apple from a tree planted by neighbours, children, or even yourself..