The Story of Pollok Community Orchard
An idea was planted…
The idea for Pollok Community Orchard emerged from conversations between Eco Drama, The Village Storytelling Centre and Pollok 80/20 (now G53 Together), in response to extensive community consultations. These revealed a strong desire among residents to see local greenspaces used more productively and inclusively. Located in the south of Glasgow, Pollok is an area with underutilised land and great potential.
Looking to the future
After the project was put on hold due to Covid-19, the plan for the orchard started coming together.
Inspired by the thriving community orchard planted in Townhead in 2013, planning for Pollok Grows Together focused on creating something with lasting impact. The vision: a community-led, arts-infused orchard that supports wellbeing, sustainability, and creativity
Bringing the vision to life
With support from the Glasgow Communities and Place Fund, Awards for All, Glasgow City Council’s Let’s Grow Together Fund and others, the project officially launched. Throughout April, May, October and November, 168 pupils and 8 teachers from St Marnock’s Primary School took part in 24 creative outdoor learning sessions, and we engaged with local community groups to help shape and imagine the new orchard.
The Forgotten Orchard takes centre stage
Through 64 performances of The Forgotten Orchard we brought to life Scotland’s rich orchard heritage and celebrated diversity, home grown food and the joy of harvest, inspiring children and their communities to plant their own. A key aim of this project is to join up the arts experience with practical action.
Pollok Community Orchard takes root!
The Pollok Community Orchard was planted over two joyful days. On 29 November 2024, the focus was on school involvement. The following day, 175 local residents came together for a community celebration featuring live music, heritage apple tasting, apple juicing, arts and crafts, children’s performances and the planting of 22 Scottish heritage fruit trees.
School planting and aftercare workshops
Our Pollok Grows Together project expanded its reach across Glasgow with 20 School Orchards planted citywide. In Pollok, 10 fruit trees were also gifted to lucky raffle winners from the November event. That same month, teachers and local residents attended a training session led by the Appletreeman, gaining practical orchard skills to nurture the growing project. In total 132 heritage fruit trees were successfully planted in 2024 across the community orchard, school orchards and in residents home gardens.
First Orchard volunteering session
Volunteers gathered for the first orchard maintenance session on 30 April 2025, watering blossoming trees with liquid seaweed, mulching around trunks, and planting new fruit bushes. The meet-up finished with the sharing of homemade baked goods, and community members have continued to care for the trees during a particularly dry May
Orchard Signage Reveal
On 4th June 2025, we gathered to celebrate the launch of our beautiful new orchard signage, designed by Eco Drama team member and visual artist Jade Sturrock. The new signs include an A1 lectern-style map showcasing the different fruit tree varieties and information, along with a smaller A5 sign guiding visitors from the front of Pollok Community Centre to the orchard and pointing out the ‘Discovery’ tree! We hope this signage will make the orchard more visible and accessible, encouraging the community to enjoy and care for this space for generations to come.
A growing future…
Over the next two years, Pollok Grows Together will continue to deliver events, workshops and activities that empower local people, promote wellbeing, and strengthen intergenerational connections. The orchard now stands as a living symbol of what’s possible when a community grows together.
