The Start of a New Community Orchard at The Falkirk Wheel
Main image: A group of Falkirk High School students learn how to plant trees
On Monday 9th March, FEL Scotland staff and local high school pupils helped open a community orchard in the grounds of The Falkirk Wheel, in an event organised and led by Scottish Canals. The working group was made up of students from Falkirk High School and St Mungo’s High School, as well as staff and volunteers from Scottish Canals, FEL Scotland, Forth Valley Sensory Centre and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).
Julie from FEL Scotland, Mr Hamilton from Falkirk High School and some Falkirk High School pupils ready for the day at The Falkirk Wheel
The event came about through a wider commitment by Scottish Canals to improve the area surrounding The Falkirk Wheel and find ways for the canal network to help wildlife, people and local communities. One of the strands of this project includes orchard and hedgerow restoration work. Orchards are priority habitats under the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan and can be a haven for wildlife, with the fruit trees, hedgerows, fallen dead wood and grassland all providing a range of benefits for different creatures!
Orchards bring huge benefits to people too, and on the day of the event, it was brilliant to see how staff and students were filled with enthusiasm for tree growing and harvesting, with everyone taking a turn at using the apple press.
Falkirk High School students Lucy, Nia and Simma learning to use the apple press
Simma Padda, a student at Falkirk High School, describes the day below:
“During the event, we learned about different types of apples and how plants and trees grow. We got the chance to plant trees near the entrance to help create a new community orchard. We also got to make and taste fresh apple juice, which was delicious and the day finished with apple cake and hot chocolate. It was a great opportunity for me, pupils and staff to learn more about nature and how planting trees can benefit our community. A big thank you to Scottish Canals, FHS staff and FEL for organising such an enjoyable and educational event.”
Thanks from all of us at FEL Scotland to the students for their enthusiasm and work on the day, as well as to Scottish Canals for organising!
The project is funded by Falkirk Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. More information can be read on the Scottish Canals website.
Falkirk High School students Emma, Maxwell, Lucy, Simma and Nia, as well as Falkirk High School teacher Mr Hamilton, using the apple press
