Our team recently dug in to transform a disused field in Yateley, Hampshire into an orchard for local community groups to enjoy.
Located at Frogmore Campus, which includes Potley Hill Primary School, Frogmore Community College and other local organisations, the site was considered the perfect location for a communal space for the community groups.
In the creation of the Frogmore Community Campus Orchard, we were joined by school students, alongside Scout leaders and members of Yateley Society, a local social charity, who supported the planting of the trees. The older students planted trees, while the younger students dealt with the hedgerow whips. The pre-school students planted wildflower seeds in designated areas.
Due to the scale of the project, we were proud to be supported by two of our supply chain partners, BQS Services and Foremost Tree Surgeons. Ahead of the planting, BQS helped to amend existing designs for the site, bringing forward a plan to have a footpath added from a human sundial, which was installed to the site. The team then created this path, as well as carving stones for the sundial by hand.
We also assisted Foremost Tree Surgeons in preparing the ground, ready for the 50 fruit trees and 160m of new hedgerows to be planted on site. The trees were donated by the Hampshire Forest Partnership, a team within Hampshire County Council that supports schools, community groups, local authorities, and others to plant trees in Hampshire.
Adam Watts, Communications & Social Value Manager at Milestone Infrastructure, said: “This project is a great example of what can be achieved when community interests align perfectly with our social value goals. What was a largely unused space is now going to be a hub for local people and benefit future generations for decades to come. We’re very proud of our people and grateful to our supply chain partners and local volunteers who made this possible.”
Across Milestone, we are proud to support the communities in which we work, as part of our commitment to social value. We look forward to continuing to support the community orchard, ahead of its official unveiling in Spring 2025.
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