SOME of Montgomery School’s Eco Superheroes spent an afternoon planting fruit trees on the school field.

The traditional Welsh apple trees were provided by Cultivate as part of a programme funded by Social Farms and Gardens to support community food growing.

Richard Edwards, chair of Cultivate and a Newtown Town Councillor, was successful in a bid for a large number of traditional variety Welsh fruit trees, and worked with the Vale of Montgomery Cluster of Councils to place these at new sites across the area.

25 of the trees are now in new homes in three locations around Montgomery.

Jeremy Thorp and Jenny Brignell from Montgomery Energy Group helped the children with their planting.

Anna Griggs, headteacher, said: “The project is a brilliant example of community working between Cultivate, MEG and the school.

“We are so excited to extend our school orchard and the native Welsh fruit trees are a link to our past and our future. Thank you to Jenny and Jeremy for their ongoing support of our Eco Committee.

“In a few years’ time the trees will enable our pupils to pick their own snack from their school orchard and also use for cooking in the new Food Technology room that we are having installed in the school.”

Eco Committee member Freija said: “We planted the native Welsh fruit trees so that we can grow fruit at school to eat and cook with. The fruit might also be used if children forget their snack.

“Planting the trees is helping climate change by reducing carbon dioxide and creating more habitats for insects too.”

Trees from the same programme were also planted by community gardening volunteers at the community orchard on Forden Road, and by members of the town council and Town Tidy team in a newly cleared area near the town football pitch and changing rooms, with the support of the club.

There were assorted old Welsh varietal fruit trees, including apples, pears and damsons.

Cllr Rob Harper said: “We cleared the ground by the changing rooms thinking to make it more visually appealing to the public, and also to provide free fresh fruit in years to come.”

Party time for town senior citizens

The post-Christmas season in Montgomery normally sees the Mayor and town council host a lunch for senior residents.

Given the restrictions of the last couple of years, this has proved impossible, so this year the council determined to host a different type of function that could be more easily postponed if necessary.

The rescheduled event finally took place on February 19 and 40 members of the community enjoyed an afternoon in the town hall feasting on a range of savouries provided by Katrina Collins and a variety of cakes baked and served by Councillors.

The afternoon was enlivened by some first class entertainment from local musicians: Monty Folk; a Dragon Big Band trio; and Molly Read singing a selection of sixties and seventies songs.

Inevitably, the party-goers required little encouragement to join in with the singing and showed their warm appreciation of our musicians with much cheering.

Molly said: “It was so special to see so many smiley faces again. There was a really great atmosphere in the town hall, and it truly made me appreciate living in such a friendly, lively town.”

The afternoon was additionally brightened by the Town Crier, Christmas crackers and a fun lucky dip, so none went home empty-handed.

The Montgomery community spirit that has brought us through two challenging years was shining through.

Mayor Jill Kibble reminded everyone that the Dragon Big Band was now well and truly back and could be enjoyed with the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw and others on the first and third Wednesday’s of each month in the town hall from 8pm to 10pm starting on March 2.

Return to court

WeDoTennis in association with Dunlop and the LTA will be running an LTA Youth Start course at Montgomery Tennis Club, starting on Monday, March 7.

As well as coaching for players new to tennis, the six week course, formerly known as ‘Tennis for Kids’, provides participating children with their own racket, T-shirt and other equipment.

There are two separate courses aimed at ages four to six years and seven to 11 years.

Nigel Hunter from WeDoTennis said: “These sessions are designed for the children to enjoy themselves and start to learn the basics of tennis across a structured six week course.

“After the six weeks, we’d love for the children to keep playing. They can speak to their coach or visit the WeDoTennis website to find out about options and venues.”