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Thatchers Cider helps community groups plant apple trees

13 January 2022 By Jessica Mason

Thatchers Cider has plans to donate 250 apple trees to groups interested in planting into community orchards.

Last year, the British family-owned cider maker gave away 120 apple trees to community groups across the country and, this year it intends to double its donations and give more people the chance to make a difference to their local landscape.

Speaking to db, fourth generation cider maker Martin Thatcher said: “Successive lockdowns have demonstrated to us all how important outdoor space is to our well-being, and as Somerset cider makers we know only too well how much enjoyment and peace of mind can be gained simply by walking through an orchard, a pleasure many people don’t have the opportunity to experience.”

Thatcher explained that it is important to keep planting, not just for the environment, but for people’s enjoyment of the outdoors and nature in general.

Thatchers is encouraging groups of all sizes from schools, to care homes through to local community groups who would greatly benefit from growing apple trees to get in touch and apply to be a part of the project via its website.

“Whether it’s groups of trees within residential areas, a rewilding project, or perhaps a school environmental project, we’re really excited to be launching this initiative for the 2nd year and to be able to help people plant trees in 2022. Applications need to be received by 18 February 2022, and we’re asking that those applying simply fill in a form on our website, telling us why planting trees would be beneficial for their community. Then we’ll be allocating our 250 trees in time for them to be planted this spring,” said Thatcher, adding: “In the year of the Queens Green Canopy Campaign, we’re really looking forward to helping even more community groups up and down the country to plant more apple trees, with all the benefits that will bring.”

Thatchers has chosen the varieties of apple trees carefully, selecting either eating apples, or cider apples which are suited to easy growing, and are easy to take care of – varieties include Katy, Yarlington Mill and Spartan and the cider house will provide stakes, guards and ties to assist in planting, as well as detailed instructions on how to plant the trees for all parties involved.

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