Volunteers braved inclement weather to plant a fruit hedge for school children and the community.

Hail, thunder and heavy rain did not put off Merton's Tree Wardens from digging deep and rooting apple, cherry and damson as part of a fruit hedge at Stanford Primary School.

The planting event was planned with the school by Merton Tree Wardens, who were helped with planting by volunteers from London’s Wildlife Trust, Sustainable Merton and Abundance.

Volunteers said the hedge will need a few years to establish before fruit can be harvested but the soft fruit may be harvestable this summer by pupils and the community.

The plants were donated by the Tree Council and include greengage, pear and plum trees as well as currants, gooseberries and raspberries which make up the hedge with mirabelle and hawthorn.

Ward councillors Brenda Fraser and David Chung gave their support and the Mayor of Merton councillor Krystal Miller planted a Quince tree which will mark the centre of the 120metre long fruit hedge.

Jane Plant, a volunteer at the Tree Warden Group Merton, said: "It was a bit wild - we had every sort of weather you could experience, but we knew we were going to be challenged so the volunteers got on with it."


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