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News & Publications > Community > King's Establishes Heritage Orchard at New Campus

King's Establishes Heritage Orchard at New Campus

The King's School is reviving forgotten apple varieties to create what will become the largest orchard of unique varieties in the county.
16 Feb 2021
Community
Former Pupil Billy Gittins and Current Parent Sarah Simpson, planting the first of many apple trees
Former Pupil Billy Gittins and Current Parent Sarah Simpson, planting the first of many apple trees

Last term, King's planted the first apple trees for what is hoped will eventually become one of the largest orchards of unique varieties in the county.

Reception pupils helped to plant the first 40 trees at the West Entrance of the new campus. Over the next ten years the collection will expand to some 300 trees planted by future generations of pupils, to establish a Legacy Orchard containing the more recognised culinary and dessert apple varieties, but also many centuries-old Cheshire apple varieties no longer produced commercially. 

The orchard is being established with the help of King's parents Sarah and Rob Simpson, who own and run The Random Apple Company in Swanscoe, and former King's pupil Billy Gittins, the Managing Director of Tennants Fine Chemicals in Leek, who has sponsored the orchard as a way to off-set his company's carbon footprint.

Alongside this main orchard, the School has also re-established a small 'Heritage Orchard' in front of Fallibroome Farmhouse, with Cheshire heritage apple varieties alongside plums, damsons, pears and gages that would have traditionally been found in the grounds of a property of this era.

Director of External Relations Caroline Johnson said: "The orchards provide King's with a wonderful opportunity to develop a superb outdoor classroom for all our pupils to learn about history, science and horticulture. Later this year we hope to establish bee hives in the orchard, for both educational purposes and to help with pollination." 

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