A Bexhill park has received grant for new trees, bulbs and wildflowers.

Ten fruit trees have been planted in Barrack Hall Park due to funding from Rother District Council’s Coronation Community Orchard Grant Scheme.

Rother District Council supported residents and Barrack Hall Allotment Association, the Old Town Preservation Society, Bexhill Environmental Group, and Bexhill in Bloom on the project, with tools provided by idverde, the council’s grounds maintenance contractor.

The money also paid for bulbs and wildflowers to attract pollinators, a new path through the orchard area and to the play area for access in the wetter months, and an extra gated entrance.

Ten fruit trees have been planted in Barrack Hall Park

placeholder image — Ten fruit trees have been planted in Barrack Hall Park

Cllr Kathryn Field, the district council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate strategy, said: “It’s fantastic to see the result of everyone’s hard work and I am pleased that the district council has been able to support this project.

“This is the latest scheme to benefit from the government-funded Coronation Community Orchard Grant Scheme, which has enabled the planting of 138 trees across 12 sites in the district, supporting our ambitious and ongoing efforts to reduce the district’s carbon footprint and helping to develop a more diverse, healthy, resilient tree population in Rother.”

A group of professional artists based in Bexhill, with the help of The Men’s Shed and Brewers Foundation, worked with young people in Sidley to design and paint wooden shapes inspired by nature. The shapes have been weather proofed and attached to railings.

Cllr Field added: “The Barrack Hall Park scheme has been a real community effort with people of all ages taking pride in their surroundings and creating a focal point for community activities, improving their natural environment and increasing biodiversity.

Barrack Hall has received grant for new trees, bulbs and wildflowers

“A big thank you to all involved, particularly tenants from the allotment who worked so hard to help get the trees through challenging conditions during the summer months, and The Men’s Shed who have created wooden plaques displaying tree names and interesting facts about them.”

DEFRA’s Coronation Living Heritage fund which seeks to create green spaces and connect communities with nature as a permanent reminder of the coronation of King Charles III, also supported the creation of a third micro wood for Rother on Bulverhythe Rec in Bexhill earlier this year.