BERRY Hill showed its community spirit on Saturday, April 4 as a crowd gathered to celebrate Berry Hill Community Orchard’s ten year anniversary.

The Berry Hill Community Orchard committee organised a day filled with fun, including an Easter Egg hunt, activities, games and a scavenger walk around the local area.

Berry Hill Band put on a fantastic performance from the moment the orchard was open around 10am.

Tim Gwilliam, Former Leader of The Forest of Dean District Council and led the initial project for the orchard said: “When it started, there were huge ferns, metals everywhere, brambles and forest waste. To see it now, I can’t believe it. It’s great to see people using it.”

The orchard is a place where anybody can come to stop, reflect and enjoy nature. It acts as a community hub, a place for comfort and even a place for local schoolchildren to enjoy outdoor education.

While those in attendance enjoyed the day, many commented on how beautiful the area is and their delight at having such a fantastic community asset.

One local attendee said: “This is fantastic, the committee has done tremendous work over these ten years.”

You can learn more about the community orchard and its origins by visiting its Facebook page.

Check out our gallery below for the wonderful pictures taken on the day!

Locals gather at Berry Hill Community OrchardLocals enjoying the activitiesBerry Hill Community Orchard 10 year anniversaryBerry Hill Community OrchardBerry Hill Community Orchard anniversary brought fun for the local communityOrganisers decorated the Berry Hill Community Orchard for the anniversaryThere were games and activities to enjoyOrganisers had a raffle of prizes, with Easter eggs donated by SPP Pumps of ColefordThe view from the entrance of the OrchardThe area is well keptYoung Louie enjoying the activitiesBerry Hill Community OrchardBerry Hill Community OrchardBerry Hill Band performs for the crowdDecorations were in place for the Egg Hunt activityActivities were enjoyed by localsEvie (left) and Nicole (right) stopped for a picture in the Easter stand(L2R) Kirsty, Glenys and AngelaSteve and Tina helping out with small knitted orchard itemsLocals Richard and Dave enjoying the morningFormer Chairman of the orchard committee Bob Harris and former Leader of FoDDC Tim Gwilliam praised the orchardJulian with his dog, and Scott who helped inform planners for the orchard ten years agoJo (left) and Angela, Chairperson of the Berry Hill Community Orchard committee as she thanks the locals for attending the celebrationsJo Revill and Angela Gardener, Chairperson of the Berry Hill Community Orchard committeeBerry Hill Band before heading home after a wonderful performance

Locals gather at Berry Hill Community Orchard

Locals enjoying the activities

Berry Hill Community Orchard 10 year anniversary

Berry Hill Community Orchard

Berry Hill Community Orchard anniversary brought fun for the local community

Organisers decorated the Berry Hill Community Orchard for the anniversary

There were games and activities to enjoy

Organisers had a raffle of prizes, with Easter eggs donated by SPP Pumps of Coleford

The view from the entrance of the Orchard

The area is well kept

Young Louie enjoying the activities

Berry Hill Community Orchard

Berry Hill Community Orchard

Berry Hill Band performs for the crowd

Decorations were in place for the Egg Hunt activity

Activities were enjoyed by locals

Evie (left) and Nicole (right) stopped for a picture in the Easter stand

(L2R) Kirsty, Glenys and Angela

Steve and Tina helping out with small knitted orchard items

Locals Richard and Dave enjoying the morning

Former Chairman of the orchard committee Bob Harris and former Leader of FoDDC Tim Gwilliam praised the orchard

Julian with his dog, and Scott who helped inform planners for the orchard ten years ago

Jo (left) and Angela, Chairperson of the Berry Hill Community Orchard committee as she thanks the locals for attending the celebrations

Jo Revill and Angela Gardener, Chairperson of the Berry Hill Community Orchard committee

Berry Hill Band before heading home after a wonderful performance