To celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Harborough District Council has partnered with Jacksons Nurseries to offer 3,600 free fruit trees to residents across the district.
Residents can collect one tree per person from Welland Park on 2nd and 3rd April, with no booking required. The trees will be distributed in bare root form, meaning they should be planted on the same day to maximise their chances of thriving.
This initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen community connections throughout the Harborough district. By providing free fruit trees, the council seeks to encourage greener spaces, support homegrown food sources, and contribute to climate action. Additionally, the project serves as a tribute to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, honouring those who served during World War II and celebrating the values of peace and community.
The fruit trees, including apple, cherry, and plum varieties, are being supplied by Jacksons Nurseries, a family-owned garden centre based in North Staffordshire. The nursery operates from a 10-acre site and produces over 300,000 plants each year, supplying its garden centre and fulfilling online orders nationwide. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Jacksons Nurseries is expanding its involvement in community projects, particularly those focusing on sustainability and environmental well-being.
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.
