Fruit trees stolen from community orchard site

Youngsters in Newbiggin Hall were left devastated when 15 fruit trees they were growing were stolen

- SAM VOLPE Health reporter [e-mail]

FRUIT trees planted by youngsters part of a Newbiggin Hall youth group were stolen last week. The trees, part of a scheme to plant a community orchard, were taken from the heart of the community, youth workers and councillors said.

15 of the 18 trees that youngsters have been looking after have been stolen - leaving just three. Northumbria Police is investigating and enquires are ongoing.

The project has been supported by D2 Youth Zone, Newcastle City Council, local ward councillors, contractor Morgan Sindall, Sustain Landscapes and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. The idea was to bring nature into the community and give young people a sense of pride and ownership of that.