NG4 May/June 2021

community orchard and
commemorative woodland
created in country park
u3a celebrate annual event
by Mapperley & District u3a
by Gedling Borough Council
Councillors have announced the creation of a new
Community Orchard as well as plans for a new 10
acre commemorative woodland at Gedling Country
Park
Over 20 native trees have been planted, including
apple trees, heritage pear trees, damson trees and
cherry trees. All of the trees originate from the
Nottingham area.
The new orchard will also play a vital part in
supporting local wildlife due to the produce created
from the trees. The tree planting is also part of the
council’s pledge to plant 500 new trees, which has
already been exceeded, as they have now planted
1,050 trees and more are planned over the next year.
The new 10-acre woodland area will be an addition
to the 230-acre park and is being created as part
of the council’s plans to create a more sustainable
environment and to continue its work to become a
greener council.
Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor
Michael Payne said “Over the last year, we have lost
so many local people to covid and other illnesses
- we want to create a place where people can go to
remember those who they have lost and where local
residents can enjoy our great outdoors. As a former
colliery, our beautiful Gedling Country Park is a symbol
of recovery, renewal and hope - that’s what we need
more than ever over the next few weeks, months and
years as we build back better and stronger together.”
The local u3a movement is embracing the
opportunity to celebrate all that u3a stands for and
raising awareness of our activity and learning with
our u3a Day taking place on 2 June 2021.
u3a Day is set to celebrate the new experiences
that come from being in your third age (no longer in
full-time employment). The annual event will take
place in Volunteer Week showcasing the amazing
and diverse things that our members get up to and
challenge preconceptions of what being an older
adult means. The 2021 event will be enhanced
by the multitude of projects, activities and new
approaches to communication that have emerged as
a consequence of the lockdown periods.
There are more than 1,000 u3as in the UK including
34 in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Each u3a
runs itself with an elected committee of volunteers.
Every u3a has a variety of interest groups such as
study groups for learning a language. Other popular
topics include family and local history, sciences,
various aspects of literature, film and theatre to
name but a few. Popular creative groups include
writing, photography and crafts. Gardening, walking
and cycling are firm favourites. You can even start
your own group.
To find out what your local u3a is doing for u3a day
and every day, please visit www.nottsU3Anetwork.
org/website-link
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