Good progress is being made in Bridport Community Orchard thanks to a donation from the Palmers Brewery Fund.

Palmers have given more than £840 this year to buy tools and materials needed by the community group.

“Palmers donation has enabled us to board out all of the beds in the community allotment,” said David Hawkins.“We have also bought two scythes that have been used regularly over the summer to keep the long grass in check around the Orchard and Jubilee Green.“In addition Palmers’ donation has funded the purchase of billhooks, a maul and rods & bindings that will be used to lay the hedges surrounding the Orchard over the autumn.”

John Palmer, Chairman of Palmers Brewery, met community members recently to learn about current projects in the orchard. He was impressed by what he saw and said: ‘The orchard is exactly the kind of initiative that our fund was designed to support; it is volunteer run, is open to everyone and benefits all age groups in the wider community.‘It was a pleasure to see how our donation has been utilised and I am sure we will be able to support the Community Orchard with other projects in the future.’

The Bridport Community Orchard Group is made up entirely of volunteers. New members are always welcome (there is no membership fee). Visit bridportcommunityorchard.org.uk for more information

The Palmers Brewery Fund was established to support local charities and initiatives. Awards are made twice a year. The deadline for applications is 1 May and 1 November. Visit palmersbrewery.com/fund for more details and application forms..