THE children of Clearwell School turned out in force to plant a collection of heritage fruit trees at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in the village.

And they were assisted in their efforts by Life of Riley band musicians Penny Plowden and Maurice Wintle, who led a procession to the orchard followed by Pete Symonds, who gave the trees a traditional wassail blessing.

The trees had all been sourced from local nursery, Lodge Farm Trees in Rockhampton, who specialise in growing traditional and rare varieties of fruit trees, many of which have never been commercially available before.

The varieties included Ampney Red, Blenheim Orange, Elmore Pippin, Dymock Red, Longney Russet, Ashmeads Kernel, Gloucestershire Underleaf, Transparent Codlin, Blakeney Red, Cannock, Yellow Huffcap, Green Horse, Brandy and White Longdon PC, along with an additional three quince, three damson and three plum trees.

Fruit from the trees will be available to Clearwell C of E Primary School as part of their on-going healthy eating initiative, and will also be served in the restaurant at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel.