ODIHAM’S new community orchard was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson on Monday.

The orchard is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy celebrating her 70 years of service, and is the first event in Odiham to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The ceremony was attended by children from Buryfields Infant School and Mayhill Junior School, volunteers from local community groups: Hook and Odiham Lions and Odiham Rotary, members of Odiham Parish Council and Hart District Council.

The project started in December when 30 fruit trees were planted in what was Cemetery Meadow, just off the drive into Odiham Cemetery.

There is a mixture of apple, pear, plum, greengage and quince varieties. The trees are four to five years old but it will be a while before they bear fruit. When they do, everyone in the community will be welcome to their share.

Odiham Parish Council chair Cllr Angela McFarlane said: “I am delighted we have been able to plant this new orchard for everyone to enjoy. I hope it will be the first of many projects to boost biodiversity in public spaces in the parish.

“Improving biodiversity offers significant mitigation of climate change.”

This project was supported by funding from Hart District Council’s biodiversity fund, which paid for the trees.