Funds available for community planting as Coronation Living Heritage Fund open for applications
Wiltshire Council’s Coronation Living Heritage Orchard Fund is now open for applications. The £50,000 grant was awarded to the council to fund the planting of community orchards as part of a new Government tree planting initiative to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. This grant money is being distributed among eligible projects across the county.
Applications to plant a community orchard are invited from parish councils, schools or other organisations with management control of land that is open to the public. The orchards can be on private or public land as long as there is community involvement.
The fund will support the purchase of trees, protection measures and establishment costs as well as commemorative signage. Planting will take place in autumn/winter 2024-2025, allowing plenty of time to plan the orchard appropriately.
The council aims to use this opportunity to develop green skills including orchard maintenance and traditional wood craft techniques, as well as to encourage orchard celebrations such as wassails and apple pressing days.
Applications can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/trees-and-woodland-in-wiltshire or by email GAPS@wiltshire.gov.uk The deadline for applications is 31 August 2024.