A new initiative has been launched in Cockermouth - encouraging the community to produce and share fruit and veg.
The Rotary Club has launched Incredible Edibles. Town mayor Andrew Semple joined members and planted the first fruit tree in Harris Park, which is owned by the town council.
Rotarians planted a total of 12 fruit trees in the riverside park, by the outdoor gym, in the hope that in the future they will produce fruit which locals can enjoy.
"The vision of Incredible Edibles is to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food but also in this time of need, to help support people to have fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs and a place where they can meet and chat," said Rotarian Val Ayre.
"We will be encouraging people to help themselves to the fruit and putting suggested recipes etc of what to do with the fruit."
Read more: https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/22798070.say-future-crummock-water/
The Rotary Club also has permission to plant herbs around the old bandstand in Harris Park and further fruit trees in that area, as well as vegetables in the planters on the Jubilee Bridge.
It is looking at other places, including along Main Street, where they can gain permission to put planters.
"We hope to encourage people to help themselves to anything we plant, when it’s ready.
"We are looking for anybody who wants to volunteer and help Rotary look after the plots and raise awareness of this project and increase our offer across the town," said Val.
President Julia Mather came up with the idea after hearing about other Rotary Incredible Edible projects across the country.
"One of our priorities in Rotary is around environment and helping people," said Val.
There will be a mixture of fruit trees, including apple, pear and plum. There will be herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, mint, and oregano and vegetables such as onions, sprouts, cabbage, kale and courgettes.
"We would like to thank Oakhurst Garden Centre and The Lakes Homecentre for
supporting Cockermouth Rotary in this new, exciting, and worthwhile project," said Val.
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