AT least 170 people helped celebrate the opening of the Berry Hill Community Orchard.

Young volunteers, Macy and Bailey Nash were fittingly asked to open the project in Nine Wells Road.

Volunteer and local councillor Tim Gwilliam said: “Macy and Bailey helped out on those cold winter days so who better to open it? They are the future.”

Among the many attractions at the site were Berry Hill Band, cider samples courtesy of Severn Cider and Weston Cider as well as the planting of a primrose which was blessed by the Rev Tony Williams, the rector of Christchurch.

Children from Berry Hill Primary School also said prayers and blessed flags which adorned the edges of pathways.

Celebrations continued around the village after the opening with the Djabot African drumming at the primary school, steel pans and music workshop at Lakers and activities at Berry Hill under-fives.

There was an exhibition by Gerald Thornton and Jack Sargent at ‘The Hut’, another art display at the band hut and, at Christchurch Church, a Forest ‘bake-off’, face painting messy play and a display by John Belcher on the history of the mines.

Berry Hill Rugby Club also hosted club games and an open-mic evening.

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Berry Hill Christchurch and Edge End, Tim Gwilliam added: “It was a wonderful day.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the community spirit and I think it’s fair to say that Berry Hill and Christchurch had a day out and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“We have lots of people to thank including the school children, the orchard committee and Scott Baine from the Rewild project who has been a great asset to us.”

The project was suggested as part of the NDP consultation who decided it would benefit the community to have a communal area to relax.

Among the many local organisations supporting the project are West Dean Parish Council, Forestry Commission and Lucozade Ribena Suntory.