A community orchard has been planted in Bungay that will bear fruit for the whole town.

The trees have been planted at Bungay Town Trust-owned green space in Outney Road known as ‘The Drift’.

The site contains a mix of cherry, plum, apple and pear trees, as well as four cob nut trees to shield the site from the neighbouring property.

Once the trees become established and start to fruit, the fruit will be available for anyone in the town to pick and enjoy.

The orchard was outlined by deputy Town Reeve Olly Barnes as one of the projects for his year as Town Reeve in 2022.

Following consultation with residents of Outney Road to agree on details of the plan, including the exact site of the orchard, Mr Barnes was able to plant the 13 trees in February.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Olly Barnes was the Town Reeve for 2022Olly Barnes was the Town Reeve for 2022 (Image: ©archant2016)

He said: “I am really pleased with how the orchard site has come together, and hopefully nearby residents and others will be able to benefit for many years to come.”

The trust has funded the orchard from its own income and will continue to maintain the site going forward, at no cost to Bungay residents.

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Beccles & Bungay Journal: Bungay Buttercross at Christmas timeBungay Buttercross at Christmas time (Image: Jane Vass)

 

BUNGAY TOWN TRUST

Bungay Town Trust is an independent charity which dates back to the 17th Century.

It owns land and buildings around the town, including the Butter Cross, and runs the weekly market there.

The Town Trust also owns and maintains the almshouses in Outney Road and Staithe Road; Market Place and the Butter Cross, Castle Hills, the Borough Well and the town clock on St Mary’s church.

The holder of the ancient office of Town Reeve is the chair of the trust – this year the Town Reeve is Stephen Honeywood.

In modern times each year, in December, the trust hosts the Town Dinner, usually at the Fisher Theatre, which anyone can attend and represents the climax of the trust’s year.

This is the last official function for the Town Reeve, with the new Reeve announced a week or so later at the Town Meeting.