Families invited for tree-planting day to help create a community orchard at Staunton Country Park

Between 30 and 50 fruit trees will be planted in Storey Gardens, as the three-acre site will be transformed from an overflow car park into a thriving community planting area.

Staunton Country Park has joined up with The Right to Work CIC and Havant Day Services for many years, allowing them to provide essential work opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Due to the Heritage Lottery funded project under way at Staunton, these groups had to move from their existing growing area to Storey Garden, which was originally a kitchen garden and orchard to the Storey family’s home.

Storey Garden isn't part of the project and so will gradually gain the funds to create what will be a beautiful community garden within Leigh Park Gardens.

Debbie Lyall, managing director of The Right to Work CIC, said: ‘Our first step is to plant the orchard, we would love as many families as possible to join us on February 19 to become actively involved in the tree planting process.’

Each tree will be labelled with the fruit type and variety plus the names of those who helped plant it, with volunteers working from 10am to 4pm to get the trees in the ground.

The group aims to recreate how the garden was in years gone by and open it to the public, ensuring that everyone can either simply use it to relax, sit and enjoy or to become actively involved, volunteering or taking on a specific role as part of a community group.

As well as the community orchard and community planting area, most schools in the area have expressed an interest in becoming actively involved within Storey Gardens, with plans for charities and community groups to join in too.

Debbie added: ‘We are confident that this site will fast become a beacon of excellence, offering a wide range of activities and benefits to a large number of local people and their families.’

People wanting to take part in the planting can email [email protected] for more information or book a space by phoning Queen Elizabeth Country Park on 02392 595040.