Remember a loved one by sponsoring a tree

The orchard, at Hampshire Farm Meadows between Emsworth and Westbourne, has been set up by the environmental group Greening Westbourne.

Since November, the group has planted 16 apple trees on the site, on the border of the two communities.

Now local people are being invited to adopt one of the trees or buy more.

They can remember a family member or mark a special occasion with a dedication plate.

The goal is to have up to 60 fruit trees on the site, with benches nearby and eventually a regular harvest of apples, pears, plum and apricots.

The orchard is on new public open space next to the Redlands Grange housing development.

Richard Hitchcock, of Greening Westbourne, said: ‘The orchard is under way, with the first apples starting to grow, and we now have a scheme set up for people to adopt an existing tree or sponsor a new one.

‘They can go to our website and download an application form. We’re sure local residents, or anyone with a local connection, will want to sponsor trees in memory of loved ones, as gifts, or just to help us fund the orchard.’

To apply, search Greening Westbourne online and go to the ‘news’ section. To contact the group, email [email protected].