Planting for a brighter and drier future

Buy photos » Emily Drayton, nine, starts the planting with the help of Richard Morris, Chairman of Wychavon District Council, Rob Adams, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Sue Jenkinson, Chairman of Harvington Parish Council, Phil Bawn, Chairman of Harvington Trust, and Worcester Warriors star Ed Shervington. 4812025MMR

THE FIRST trees have been planted in a new community orchard which villagers hope will help put an end to years of flooding misery.

Jubilee Orchard, in Leys Road in Harvington, was created by Wychavon District Council, the Harvington Trust and Recreational Trust with support from DEFRA and the Environment Agency and it is hoped the trees will suck up surface run off water which has caused substantial flooding previously.

The project was launched by schoolchildren, council dignitaries and Worcester Warriors rugby players on Wednesday (November 28) ironically when floodwater was causing chaos in the Vale.

Harvington First School pupil Emily Drayton, nine, was given the honour of starting the planting at the ceremony and was helped and cheered on by Coun Richard Morris, chairman of Wychavon District Council, Coun Rob Adams, chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Sue Jenkinson, chairman of Harvington Parish Council, Phil Bawn, chairman of Harvington Trust and Worcester Warriors rugby star Ed Shervington.

The project will also have fringe benefits including fruit for the school to promote healthy eating, a footpath which provides a circuit of the village and the orchard will help promote Harvington's local heritage.

Tony Jones, engineers services manager at Wychavon District Council, said: “Flooding has devastated the lives of residents in Leys Road and we’re hopeful that this orchard will provide a long lasting solution to their problems.

"This is a truly inspirational project which will not only help with flooding but will bring the community together and promote local heritage.”

Coun Richard Morris thanked everyone involved with the project and said the naming of of the Jubilee Orchard was a fitting tribute to the monarchy.

Phil Bawn, from Harvington Trust added the orchard project would be something for the children as they were the future of the community.

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