Pupils hope to see the fruits of their labour

Pupils hope their efforts will bear fruit

Youngsters from local schools have been getting their hands dirty this week to help create a new orchard in a public park.

Pupils from Bowhouse, Moray and Sacred Heart primary schools were mucking in together this week at Grangemouth’s Zetland Park, planting fruit trees at the war memorial end of the public space.

The children were assisting the Central Scotland Green Network Trust and the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative with the Fruitful Landscape project.

Along with pupils of Deanburn and Kinneil primary school, who were working to recreate the historic orchard at Kinneil Estate, the green-fingered Grangemouth gang worked hard planting both historic and modern varieties of fruit – which are more suited to today’s climate.

A great deal of research has been carried out into the historic orchard at Kinneil – its layout, varieties, uses and importance to the area – to make sure the new plantings reflect the way they might have looked in the past.

While the orchard at Zetland Park is being created from scratch, the young gardeners took just as much care over their planting, knowing generations to come will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Visit www.innerforthlandscape.co.uk for more on Fruitful Landscape and other projects.