Two years of planning came to fruition when a Suffolk village planted eleven trees to start its community orchard.

The trees were planted on Saturday April 13 after plans for the Otley Community Orchard were hatched by Caroline Manning and Issy Lincoln in 2022.

It took the pair two years of planning, preparation and fund raising to be able to open their orchard.

Mrs Manning said: "The idea of an orchard came to be as a result of a conversation between two friends who used to garden together."

She said the pair knew how important gardening was to them, helping them during tough times, and decided that it would be a good idea to develop a community area for all to enjoy. 

Ipswich Star: Otley Community Orchard have been helped through donations and two grandsOtley Community Orchard have been helped through donations and two grands (Image: Otley Community Orchard)

Since beginning their project, they have been supported by donations from the general public as well as winning grants from East Suffolk Council and Suffolk Public Mental Health Programme.

The money from the grants has gone towards laying a water supply, building an accessible path, buying tools and creating a shed.

They say the orchard has attracted a large group of volunteers who have helped to clear and prepare the land, sow the seed, plant hedging and prepare the raised beds.

The orchard can also be used to grow fruits and vegetables for the villagers.