A group of volunteers and Breyer staff members, led by Mary Parmar who sits on the resident board for Kingston, recently gave up their time to transform green spaces around properties in the area.
Work included clearing overgrown flowerbeds and planting trees or redcurrant and blackcurrant bushes in their place.
While Breyer took particular responsibility for removing stumps and providing fruit trees, two local councillors, the local MP – Sir Ed Davey – and members of the police were also part of the working group behind the planting.
The results were truly transformational with residents commenting on how the neighbourhood now looked and felt better.
Mary said:
“The corner of the flats in Shalston Villas, Howard Road, was being used for fly-tipping, including lots of asbestos, and anti-social behaviour was becoming a problem in the evenings. So, I decided to ask Kingston Council if residents could clear the area.
“Estate Services helped remove rubbish and overgrown, neglected shrubs and trees but we had trouble removing the tree stumps. So, I approached Breyer who organised the removal of the stumps
“We then got advice on what fruit trees to order, as well as what compost we would need, from Alison Fure (Local Ecologist), Elliot Newton (Biodiversity officer) and Andy Hallett from Glendale. They advised that we only had a four-week window to plant the trees. Thanks to Breyer, we were able to get everything done on schedule.
“We planted a total of 9 Fruit Trees on different parts of the Estate, plus 6 fruit bushes. The fruit trees start at Shalston Villas and will create a “fruit route”, linking Alpha Road Estate to the orchard in the Fishponds. The trees will need care until they are established, so we have a “tree angel” for every tree who will check on their progress.”
