Schools and community groups in Watford have until Saturday, November 8, to apply for a free Veolia Orchard.
Veolia’s scheme has been enriching school playgrounds nationwide since 2022 with free fruit trees and plants, and from 2025 is open to other settings including universities, care homes, prisons and places of worship.
Until Saturday, November 8, schools and other educational and social facilities can apply for either five apple or pear trees or 10 strawberry plants to join Watford’s existing Veolia Orchard that stands at 35 apple and pear trees and 50 strawberry plants across 12 schools.
Successful applicants will be just a small part of a huge nationwide family of 1,500 fruit trees and 1,900 strawberry plants, with each school joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning. This year, the scheme has covered new ground and accepted applications from a wider range of settings, including universities, colleges, prisons, care homes and community centres.
Successful candidates will hear back from Monday, December 1, with the delivery of plants taking place in spring 2026. Applicants can also opt for an interactive session with Veolia’s experts, who will guide participants through planting whilst educating them on the long-term benefits to the community and environment.
Pascal Hauret, municipal managing director at Veolia, said: “The expansion of the Veolia Orchard scheme to reach adults as well as children marks a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental education and biodiversity. Since 2022, we’ve seen remarkable success in the schools we have visited and now we’re keen to nurture green spaces in universities, colleges, prisons and SEND centres and encourage anyone interested to apply now.’’
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “I’m proud to see Watford continuing to grow its commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing through the Veolia Orchard initiative. This is a fantastic opportunity for schools, care homes, community centres and other educational and social settings to join a nationwide network that’s planting the seeds, quite literally, for a greener future.”
For more information and to apply, visit veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard
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