Local volunteers and Trafford Council partners got together to plant 30 fruit trees at William Wroe Meadows in Flixton, restoring part of the site’s historic orchard.
Flixton Green For All (FGFA) Community Group coordinated a volunteer planting day led by The Orchard Project, a national charity dedicated to creating, restoring and celebrating community orchards.
The initiative aims to recreate a historic orchard that once formed part of a local working farm. Several mature fruit trees remain on the site, some believed to be over 150 years old.
The new planting will help secure the orchard’s future while enhancing biodiversity and community use of the meadows.
Funding for the project was provided by Cadent Gas Ltd following gas main replacement works in the area. The planting represents a positive step in restoring and improving the landscape after those works.
Barbara Harper, Chair of Flixton Green For All, said:
“This project has required real determination from everyone involved, and we are absolutely delighted to see the historic orchard replanted. It is a proud moment for our community.
“Flixton Green For All now looks forward to working with local residents and partners to build on this success and further strengthen community involvement in shaping the future of William Wroe Meadows.”
The orchard complements wider environmental improvements at William Wroe Meadows. These include collaboration with partners such as City of Trees and Natural England, and Trafford Council’s commitment to develop new habitat banks funded through local development contributions.
Council-owned sites including William Wroe Meadows are set to benefit from planting, landscaping and habitat enhancement measures designed to support birds, insects, wild animals and plant life, contributing to the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
The site is also central to longer-term plans to re-establish lost wetland habitats.
The orchard further strengthens Flixton’s growing network of community-led green spaces, alongside nearby initiatives such as the Balmoral Allotments Orchard, supported by The Northern Fruit Group in partnership with allotment tenants and the Council.
Amar Singh, Engineering Manager at Cadent, said:
"We have been carrying out essential works in the area, to upgrade ageing gas pipes, and wanted to support local community projects as a gesture of our appreciation. As well as funding this project, we also got our hands dirty, by helping to plant the trees! The orchard is a wonderful local amenity, and we were delighted to help make this happen."
Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services, said:
“We’re delighted to see residents and Council partners working together to replant this orchard, which will enhance biodiversity at this much-loved location for years to come.
“This project supports the Council’s priority to address climate change and promote healthy lives by providing high-quality green spaces for people to enjoy.”