Go Greener in East Renfrewshire

Green fingered East Renfrewshire residents are being encouraged by Go Greener to grow their own food and shop for healthy and sustainable food locally.

To mark the launch of Go Greener’s Food Action Group 10 soft fruit trees were planted at the new Auchenback Park in Barrhead on Sunday 29 March.
 
Go Greener members and locals turned up to help with planting the apple, cherry, pear and plum trees with the help of staff from East Renfrewshire Council’s parks staff and John Hancox of the Childrens’ Orchard was on hand to offer advice on how to plant the trees.

For the past four years John has been working on the Children’s Orchard Project which aims to encourage school children to commit to planting fruit trees and for them to take care of them as they grow.


The project is linked to another of John’s projects - Commonwealth Orchard - a Scotland wide scheme to plant community, school and children’s orchards.

John said: “The idea is to plant new trees, celebrate and map existing orchards, and to pick and eat the produce - as well as to use orchards for a wide range of arts, events and community uses.  It’s a great way to create a positive grassroots legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.  The trees we are planting in Barrhead will be well established and brimming with fruit by the time Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“In this country we have a long tradition of growing fruit and vegetables and it’s a nice thing for kids to do as it not only gets them outdoors but it teaches them to take responsibility and it makes them feel they are making a positive impact on the environment.”

Go Greener Chair Cllr Eddie Phillips who, along with Go Greener members, helped with the planting said: “The Commonwealth Orchard is a great project which offers a range of community, educational and health benefits for children, families, schools and communities. It’s a great fun activity for children and families too.

“It also ties in nicely with the Go Greener food action group’s aim to encourage people to grow their own food and shop locally for healthy and sustainable food such as fruit and vegetables.”

If you would like more information on the food action group or would like to become involved with future planting or sustainable food projects please contact us.

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