Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Orchard opens doors to visitors
Coatbridge community orchard was a hive of activity as visitors turned out in numbers for the woodland’s third annual open day.
Attractions included apple pressing, flower sales, a treasure hunt, storytelling sessions, a cake stall and orchard tours.
Young visitors also enjoyed face painting and street games and activities, while the busy event was also attended by community police officers and representatives of Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire.
Orchard group volunteer Stephen Kirley told the Advertiser: “The open day was once again a big success – the weather was warm and dry, and many people came to see our progress as a result.
“We hope to have further events including an apple pressing day in late September or October; the exact date will largely be driven by what kind of summer weather we have!
“The orchard will have several working parties in the months ahead and the gates will be opened throughout the summer, so we hope that people will come in, explore and enjoy the space we have created.”
Coatbridge’s orchard was created three years ago on an unused second green beside West End bowling club, and the organisation is now a registered charity.
Its first trees were planted at a special ceremony late in 2016 and the thriving public woodland so far consists of dozens of apple trees, along with some additional pear trees.
Stephen added: “We’d like to have a educational session on sustainability and the environment in the future, and we have several local schools attending sessions soon, so it will be a busy period.
“We’d encourage anyone interested to keep checking in with our Facebook and Twitter pages for full details.”
For further informarion on the orchard, including events and volunteering, see www. facebook. com/CoatbridgeCommunityOrchard or follow @ CBridgeOrchard on Twitter.