ORIGINAL varieties of blackcurrants used in Ribena years ago will be planted at the Berry Hill Community Orchard next month.

Coleford firm Suntory has sourced the blackcurrants for the orchard project which will appear among other donated heritage trees and productive trees as well as benches engraved with the names of the pits that converge on or under the site.

Chairman of Community Orchard, Cllr Tim Gwilliam (Lab, Berry Hill) is looking forward to hosting an open day on Saturday, April 30 from 10am.

He said: “There will be lots going on at venues throughout Berry Hill and Christchurch, including art exhibitions, music at the club and schools and a Forest ‘Bake Off’ cake competition. We will also have a treasure hunt around the area. It’s going to be a real family day out.”

The project, which is in Nine Wells Road, is part of the West Dean Parish Council Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) which gives locals an area to relax.

Leyton Powell, head of environment, health and safety, Lucozade Ribena Suntory said: “As a business we are keen to support local community projects that align with our Growing for Good mission.