Knutsford’s first community orchard has received a funding boost from Knutsford Town Council.
The Crosstown Community Orchard, on Mobberley Road, was created in February after a new charity was set up to convert an underused open space into a thriving community asset. The charity has secured a range of grant funds to support its work and Knutsford Town Council is providing funding worth £1,500 through the provision of a bench and a sign which are due to be installed later this month.
The charity saw the planting of almost 40 fruit trees, over 100 wild harvest saplings and many wildflowers. Last month the group installed bird and hedgehog boxes to accompany the log piles and bug hotel created to promote wildlife on the site. The group is now arranging the installation of benches, bins and picnic tables to create a true community space and later this year will be creating a nature trail around the site.
Crosstown Community Orchard trustee Lyndsey Keppel-Green said “We are really grateful for the support from the Town Council and look forward to welcoming the Town Mayor back to the orchard for our official opening on August 22nd”
The Town Council Community Grant Scheme is open to community organisations delivering services or running assets which benefit Knutsford’s residents. It looks for projects which provide improved services/opportunities for those under 18 or over 65, which provide a new or improved asset or service or projects which enhance the profile or reputation of the Town.
The council operates two schemes; a small grants scheme makes awards of up to £1,500 three times per year and a large grant scheme which considers applications for over £1,500 annually. The next deadline for the small grants scheme is 29th October and the 2021 large grants deadline is 31st August.