BEAVERS, Cubs and Scouts have lived up to their motto of ‘be prepared’ by getting stuck into getting the ground ready for a new community orchard, in the hope of seeing it bear lots of fruit in the coming years.

The Fruitful Futures project, based at the community orchard at the Angus Buchanan Recreation Ground in Coleford, finally saw the youngsters plant fruit trees on Saturday, December 1 after a summer working on the site.

Carol Rushton, group Scout leader from the 1st Clearwell and Sling Scout Group, said: “The Beavers, the Cubs and Scouts have worked on the site for several sessions over the summer.

“We’ve cleared and prepared the ground while also working on various badges for the different Scout sections.

“On the Saturday, we actually planted fruit trees including apples, pears and gooseberries and some of the trees were old Gloucester- shire and Monmouthshire varieties.”

The Fruitful Futures project has been made possible by a grant from Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The project has been designed in partnership with the Rewild project.

Rosemary Morgan and Sarah Cheese co- ordinated the sessions on behalf of the Angus Buchanan Trust and Andy Good was on hand to give instruction on planting the trees.

“Young people and leaders from the Scout group hope to be able to visit the orchard regularly to check on the progress of the trees and eventually pick fruit,” Carol added.