Plans to have a community orchard planted on Wick Green (also known as Gibraltar Walk), Wickford has finally come to fruition.

Ten fruit trees (apples, pears, plums, and greengage) were planted on the green on Tuesday, 12 March watched by Cllrs Yvonne Child and George Jeffery.

Yvonne Child also a campaigner for the Facebook group WickfordSoS said: "It is fantastic to finally see these trees planted which will benefit the residents of the Wick, we couldn't have managed this without the support of the residents, the Wombles, Cllrs George Jeffery, Malcolm Buckley, and Basildon Council. 

"Wick Green is an important green lung for our community, and is used by many residents from the Wick to access the town centre, train station etc.

"It also acts as a barrier between the town centre and the Wick. There have been picnics even a fun day with the children and games, we have held our Christmas services since WickfordSoS began their campaign in 2019, and now with the new community orchard hope to encourage residents and pollinators/wildlife to visit it.

 "This has taken some time to get to where we are now, but now we hope that when the trees start to blossom and fruit, they will not only serve the resident but the wildlife after all this has been the aim of the project."