Work to enhance Sconce and Devon Park in Newark is under way after Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Street Scene Team, park rangers, community groups, and volunteers teamed up to work on new developments.

The orchard restoration project began with the first fruit tree at the site planted by Coun Emma Oldham and Sconce and Devon’s park ranger and volunteers.Native fruit trees, including plum, crab apple, medlars, and cherry will be planted.

The project aims to enhance biodiversity and wildlife in and around the area, with the orchards supporting a variety of flora and fauna, insects, birds, bees, bats, and small mammals, as well as wildflowers.

Coun Oldham, portfolio holder for Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said: “Whilst the work done to prepare the site does look a bit drastic at the moment, what we are trying to do is protect a really important and historic part of Sconce and Devon.

“Satellite data actually shows this orchard previously expanded all the way back to Hawton Road and was an asset to the local community, even during the world wars.

“One of the best parts of this project is that any healthy trees that needed to be moved from the orchard site that have self-set have been added to our own tree nursery, which allows us to replant these trees across the district.

“I can’t wait to see the orchard in all it’s glory as we move through the seasons, and I encourage everyone to pop down for a visit.”

Park rangers and volunteers have also created new footpaths for park visitors to explore the park.

The footpaths have been developed through areas that had experienced heavy footfall, adding to the new pathways created in June that were key in keeping access across the park during the recent flooding.

The development of the new pathways also improved the accessibility of the park by linking up existing paved routes, allowing wheelchair and mobility scooters to access areas of the park that until now have been inaccessible.

Coun Oldham added: “We have done what we can to protect what we have left of the ancient orchard, and while sadly we have had to remove some diseased trees to protect the health of others across Sconce and Devon, those removed trees have been recycled and repurposed as wood chippings and used for these new footpaths created around the park.”

An area adjacent to the new orchard has also been marked out as the site for a memorial rose garden, as a place to remember loved ones and surrounding seating to allow for peaceful reflection.

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