A brilliant satisfying day at the Dick Turpin Orchard and Cuckoo Hall here in sunny Aldborough Hatch – and, yes, the sun did shine. Ryan of the Orchard Project led the day as we planted five new apple trees of 300-year-old varieties which have geographical relevance to the Aldborough Hatch area, blackcurrant bushes and a "Russian olive" (actually a sort of berry which provides nutrients to fruit trees). We learned that you have to dig a square hole and planting a tree is a science. The new trees were staked and fenced to protect them from Muntjac deer in the area. I had no idea that we have these chaps roaming about the Hatch but some of the gang present have seen them. Driving in the stakes was hard work but the lads and lasses took turns – whilst I took the photographs! The existing ancient trees next to the Dick Turpin overflow car park were mulched again - Lorna Batey worked hard doing that with Aldborough Ward Councillors Debbie Kaur-Thiara and John Howard amongst others. Finally, the team ring-barked some of the non-fruit trees in Cuckoo Hall and mulching the fruit trees there. The Mayor of Redbridge visited and was impressed. And we had hot soups and bread provided by Dean at the Dick Turpin which was much appreciated
