Minister’s project is at core of the community

Clergyman hopes orchard plan will benefit whole area

A kind-hearted Coatbridge clergyman is hoping his tree-mendous new scheme will provide a lasting benefit for the community.

Ivor McDonald, minister at Hope Church, is branching out to build a community orchard that will be big enough to house nearly 100 trees.

Apples and plums will grow in the garden at the West End bowling club, whose second green is currently lying unused.

Ivor’s idea has gained the backing of the council and the terms of lease have been agreed for work to begin in the coming months.

The minister outlined his vision to the Advertiser.

He said: “A community orchard would be very beneficial as it opens loads of doors environmentally and also encourages healthy eating.

“We’ve currently got a group of about six working on it and putting all the plans in place, but everyone we’ve spoken to has been really positive about it and we’re looking to get many people on board.

“We’re hoping the orchard can be a focal point in the community and be used for people to try something different.

“Even if people aren’t interested in taking part, the orchard will still be a nice thing for people to come and admire.”

Ivor, who originally hails from Skye, is hoping to get as many people involved as possible, especially youngsters from local schools.

He said: “Pupils are key to this project and we want to get them involved in the planting process.

“We’ve been in touch with Langloan and St Augustine’s primaries and also Coatbridge High.

“We’ve set our preliminary launch date for the orchard as September 20, so we can organise to reach out to even more of them during next term.

The garden will cater to anyone interested, and will be wheelchair and child friendly via the instalment of espaliers.

These are wires that run at a lesser height than the trees, making it easier for the fruit to be picked.

Ivor, 56, explained: “This is a community project so it’s important that everyone can take part.

“We’ll have a path laid out for wheelchair access and the espaliers will allow wheelchair users and children to be able to pick fruit.

“We’re confident that overall it will be well received.”

The Skye native is excited by the prospect of the garden, and says there are several options in terms of what can be done with the produce.

He revealed: “It’s up to people who pick the fruit to decide what they do with it, but there are many different options.

“We can have apple pressing events or play dunking for apples; people can sell their fruit or they can just take home what they pick for themselves.”

Apple of his aye Ivor McDonald (above) and the site of the planned community orchard at West End Bowling Club