Community unites to plant memorial orchard

Community Unites to Plant Memorial Orchard

Bury Free Press

Residents of the Howard Estate, in Bury St Edmunds, came together last week for the planting of 40 fruit trees in the Howard Memorial Orchard. The project, which saw families adopt a tree in memory of a loved one, was led by community interest company Greener Growth in partnership with the Howard Estate Residents and Tenants Association, Cllr Paul Hopfensperger and Fulchers Funeral Directors. Around 150 people attended the planting on Thursday, April 19, and Saturday, April 21. Joannah Metcalfe, founder of Greener Growth, said: “It went incredibly well. All members of the community, all of different ages and backgrounds, came together. This is why we’re doing it in the first place. It was great to see.”

Howard Estate Memorial Orchard April 2018

Memorial Orchard Project to set down roots


A brand new orchard for one lucky community was planted last week on 19th and 21st April on the Howard Estate in Bury St Edmunds. Greener Growth are no strangers to working with community groups to create beautiful shared green space where there was once none. We are delighted to be able to plant a Heritage Orchard at the end of the football pitch on an unused area of land and enhance the landscape in this very urban setting. This is being done to further our conservation work in the town and to extend the opportunity to teach healthy eating in this community by establishing more fresh fruit provision – these trees will provide an extensive range of apples, pears, plums, cherries and greengages once they have matured.”

It was officially opened by the Mayor and the heritage trees were planted with care with residents and local children from Howard & Tollgate Primary schools. Many residents from the Howard Estate came to officially choose their tree and it was great to see so many pitching up to support the community.

We have been working alongside the Howard Estate Association of Residents and Tenants (HEART) for some months now and are excited to be behind this innovative design, aimed at commemorating
loved ones who have a connection to the community. HEART chairperson Ernie Broom is delighted at the support shown by our team and said “It is such a lovely idea to incorporate the memorial element into the community planting scheme. This way the local community can not only be involved in creating something for future generations to enjoy, but it also is an opportunity to remember those who
used to live on Howard Estate in years past.”

Big thanks to L. Fulchurs funeral directors for their sponsorship and the Borough advice and local councillors, especially Paul Hopfensperger for his guidance enthusiasm and Rupert Everitt, Tom Murray & Max Clarke for all turning up and helping out, as did so many others.

We so enjoyed meeting you all and we'll be back to help you nurture your nature!

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