Almond marks 30th anniversary with community orchard

A West Lothian community is set to benefit from a community orchard thanks to a partnership project involving Almond Housing Association and its contractors.

The orchard, which has been created on Hobart Street in Craigshill, has been made possible thanks to Almond and four of its contractors as the housing association marks its 30th anniversary. 

Thirty-seven trees, including apple, pear, and plum trees, were donated by contractors Krinkel, as well as Response Building Maintenance Services (Scotland) Ltd, who have both worked with Almond for a significant part of the association's history.

McTaggart Group were also on hand to help out on the day with a hole boring machine, whilst Almond Enterprises were able to donate manpower.

In addition, there were colleagues from Almond including the Chief Executive, John Davidson and Director of Asset Management, Iona Taylor, who were both put to work.  Children also came along from Lytham & Riverside Primary School and Howden St Andrew Primary School. 

The planting of the trees was all done under the watchful eye of the Growing Together project team, led by David Tatton.

He said: “Local people had been telling us for a while that they would love to have a community orchard and having scoped various plots of land owned by Almond Housing Association, we felt that the ground just along from the Hobart Street Community Garden would work really well.

"The trees were a lot bigger than we expected, which is actually quite beneficial because they have a good chance of bedding in successfully and maybe even bearing some fruit this year.”

The area will be maintained as part of Almond’s landscape contract, with trees having been placed a reasonable distance apart to ensure easy access for the lawn mower.  There is no intention to install any furniture at the site, although some signage will be fitted for easy identification of the trees.

Almond Chief Executive John Davidson added: “As the local housing association, we want to help wherever possible to enrich the areas in which our tenants live.  We hope the local community will embrace and take care of the orchard.  We look forward to watching it blossom and of course, we can’t wait to eat some fruit!” 

Ross Hammell, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for McTaggart added: “McTaggart is delighted to support the new orchard initiative.  It’s a great example of how McTaggart and Almond can work together to enhance the local area and support our two organisations carbon reduction ambitions.”