100 Orchards To Be Planted To Mark Ireland’s Centenary Celebrations
GIY have teamed up with SAP Landscapes to donate fruit trees which will see 100 orchards simultaneously planted across the country on November 26th to mark Ireland’s Centenary celebrations.
Schools, community groups and workplaces from across the country are now invited to apply for an ‘Orchard in an Hour’ pack. The free pack from GIY and SAP Landscapes contains a selection of 5 apple, pear and plum trees and it is the aim that at 11am on Saturday 26th November 2016 all of the 100 groups will plant their orchards simultaneously across Ireland. The first 100 communities to register for ‘Orchard In An Hour’ on www.giyinternational.org will receive delivery of an orchard pack.
Pictured launching ‘Orchard in an Hour’ are Karen O’Donohoe, Paul Giles, Leigh McCann and Stacey Claffey with students from Salsian College Celbridge
According to GIY’s Community Manager Karen O’Donohoe, the activity will create a lasting legacy for Ireland, “We are very proud to launch what will be an edible lasting legacy during the 1916 centenary celebrations and we are delighted to partner with SAP Landscapes to also mark their 40th anniversary which is also this year. “ Karen said.
SAP Landscapes and GIY hope that with the involvement of community groups in urban and rural locations all over Ireland, ‘Orchard in an Hour’ will create a positive legacy of food growing and community partnerships for the next 100 years.
Paul Giles, Commercial Director of SAP Landscapes Ltd said, “Having spent 40 years creating and sustaining landscapes, we are delighted to be able to mark this milestone in partnership with GIY. Society has become increasingly detached from our natural environment and ‘Orchard in an Hour’ is a great initiative to help root the value of nature back into our daily lives and one that we hope people will enjoy the fruits of for many years to come. SAP and GIY share a combined enthusiasm for growing, and we are also thrilled to be one of a number of companies that have supported GIY’s Grow Circle challenge and helped fund the construction of Grow HQ. The centre is a great benefit for inspiring and helping people to grow food.”
Commenting Karen O’Donohoe, Community Manager for GIY said, “This simple, but really effective event on November 26th illustrates what GIY is all about; making food growing fun, accessible and inspirational. This is all about looking to the future and taking positive action around key issues such as health, the environment and community development. ‘Orchard In An Hour’ shows just how easy it is to create an orchard and in doing so help local bio-diversity, transform a space and connect with homegrown, seasonal food.”
On Saturday, 26th November each participating group will plant all 5 fruit trees at the same time, between 11am and 12pm to create 100 Orchards in an Hour. The ‘Orchard in an Hour’ kit also includes a comprehensive ‘How To’ guide, so regardless of their growing knowledge, anyone can create an edible legacy in their school, estate, community garden or workplace.
Communities can register for a free ‘Orchard in an Hour’ pack online via www.giyinternational.org links to the registration page are also available on social media @giyireland and @SAP_Landscapes
