Harborough District Council has teamed up with Jacksons Nurseries to give away 3,600 free fruit trees to residents in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Residents can collect one fruit tree per person from Welland Park on 2nd and 3rd April, with no appointment needed. The trees will be provided in bare root form and should be planted immediately upon collection to ensure healthy growth.
This initiative supports environmental sustainability while fostering community engagement across the Harborough district. By distributing fruit trees, the council hopes to promote greener neighbourhoods, encourage local food cultivation, and contribute to climate change efforts. Additionally, this giveaway acts as a tribute to the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May, honouring the sacrifices made during World War II and celebrating unity and resilience.
The trees, which include apple, cherry, and plum varieties, are supplied by Jacksons Nurseries, a family-run garden centre in North Staffordshire. Operating from a 10-acre site, the nursery produces more than 300,000 plants annually, supplying its garden centre and shipping nationwide via its online store. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Jacksons Nurseries is increasingly engaging in community projects, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental impact.
Owner of Jacksons Nurseries, Luke Jackson said: “We are delighted to be part of this important initiative in Harborough. Trees are proven to improve air quality, reduce urban heat and support local wildlife. My grandad was a rear gunner on a Sunderland plane during WW2. The trees will act as a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by my grandad and millions of others like him during the war. The trees will be in flower by 8th May in a sign of hope and new beginnings.”
Local resident Geoff Feavyour who hopes to take advantage of the giveaway commented: “There’s nothing more rewarding than growing your own fruit and picking it fresh off the tree. It tastes much better than mass produced fruit and avoids the need for plastic packaging. Fruit trees are a great way to teach children about the pollination process in a fun, hands-on way, helping them appreciate the importance of insects such as bees and butterflies in the ecology of our local environments.”
The Harborough fruit tree initiative is the latest of several community projects supported by Jacksons Nurseries over recent months. Their planting team installed 16 root-balled Christmas trees for Pontypool council in October and regularly help with trees and displays at their local church, St Chads. Jacksons Nurseries is located on Thorney Edge Road in Bagnall, Staffordshire, ST9 9LE. More information is available on their website at www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
The Harborough project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
The full address of the location where the trees will be available to collect is Welland Park, Welland Park Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9DN.
