Pupils from King’s Park Primary School and Hampden School pitched in, despite a soggy St Andrew’s day, to start their very own orchard.

The orchard, at Hampden School in Ardnahoe Avenue, will be used to grow hardy varieties of apple that flourish in the Scottish weather. James Grieve and Coul Bush apples grow naturally as far north as Ullapool. It is hoped that the orchard will eventually contain 30 fruit trees, including apple, pear and plum trees.

It is part of a wider programme of tree planting called the ‘Glasgow Children’s Orchard’. Project Director, John Hancox, told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘We’re trying to get children across Glasgow to plant fruit trees at school. We hope to plant 1000 over the course of this winter. Obviously it’s educational to some extent, but it’s also encouraging good citizenship by showing the children they can give something back to the community.’

King’s Park pupil Jilly Cross (11) said, ‘It was great fun, except for the rain. I’m looking forward to eating the fruit and making the apple juice.’

The kids are also learning about business through the orchard. They have set up an enterprise through which they hope to sell the fruit they grow and juices they make. The kids have already raised £200 through a tuck shop, home baking sale and a ‘green day’, where pupils paid 20p each to wear a green outfit to school. The money will be invested in the pupils own ‘fair trade’ business.

Class teacher Geraldine Smith said, ‘I’m very pleased. An enterprising attitude encourages children to be all they can be. All the talent in the class has been used. We’ve had everyone involved, from artists to business brains.’

Glasgow City Council (GCC) is supporting the project, alongside the Southeast Area Committee and Toryglen Gardening Club. GCC Enterprise and Employment officer Claire Harker told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘I think it’s fantastic. It’s about getting kids back in touch with their environment. It’s been a very positive collaborative effort between the two schools.’

GCC’s Community Liaison Officer, Brian Sutherland, donned his wellies and kilt on the day to help with the planting. He said, ‘I can’t think of a better way to spend St Andrew’s day than planting apple trees with these kids. I’m delighted to be here.’