Residents have sponsored three new trees for Steyning Community Orchard.
All three are Sussex heritage apple varieties and a tree planting ceremony took place at Memorial Playing Field on Saturday.
Bob Platt, from the orchard team, said: “The three trees have been donated in memory of loved ones. This brings the total number of new trees to seven. They have all been sponsored by Steyning residents, who have made generous donations to the cost of trees, posts, fencing and future maintenance.”
Valerie Cable planted a variety called Dr Hogg in memory of her parents, Mable and Frank Cable.
This apple was first grown by the head gardener of Leonardslee and named after Robert Hogg, a celebrated Victorian apple expert. He described it as ‘a first-rate baking apple’.
Joyce Sleight planted a Duck’s Bill tree in memory of her husband, Geoff,
Bob said: “This variety was introduced by Fred Streeter, who was head gardener at Petworth House in 1937. The name comes from the distinctively ribbed and flat-sided shape.”
The third tree was a Forge, planted by Jan Whittle in memory of her husband, Leonard.
