Fruit harvesting groups joined together at an orchard to pick over 500kg of fruit to be donated to local schools and fun day days in Brent.

The big pick was organised by Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters, Willesden Fruit Harvesters and Mapesbury Residents' Association (MapRA) Pickers, together with the Barn Hill Conservation Group, to gather fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

The event took place at the 900 tree orchard at Fryent Country Park in Kingsbury on Saturday, September 6.

Fifty two people took part and picked an impressive 583kg of apples and plums.

Most of the fruit will be going to make juice at Roe Green Walled Garden Open Day on September 13 and Queen's Park day on September 14, and some given to local schools.

Michael Stuart, who co-ordinates picks for Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters said: “It was amazing. We usually harvest from one tree in local back gardens. To have fifty volunteers picking from among 900 trees was like being in a sweet shop!”

Gerry Weston, who organises picks for Mapesbury Residents' Association, said: “Great to co-operate with so many other groups. It was a good social event – could have done with fewer nettles.”

Fryent Country Park has over a thousand fruit trees in all, largely planted and maintained by Barn Hill Conservation Group over the past thirty years, with some support from Brent Council.

Barn Hill's young conservation volunteers, the John Muir Award members, participated in the fruit pick on Saturday also.

David McClements of the Barn Hill Conservation Group said: “The youngsters did a brilliant job on Saturday in challenging conditions, with members of Barn Hill Conservation Group they harvested 100 kgs of apples from Bush Farm Orchard.”

The event follows the three harvesting groups' bumper harvest of three tons last year, when local apples, pears and plums were given to local schools and charities, and made into juice, chutney, jam and wine.

To get involved email kensaltokilburnharvesters@gmail.com , willesdenharvesters@gmail.com or MapRA email contact@mapra.org.FRUIT harvesting groups joined together at an orchard to pick over 500kg of fruit to be donated to local schools and fun day days in Brent.

The big pick was organised by Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters, Willesden Fruit Harvesters and Mapesbury Residents' Association (MapRA) Pickers, together with the Barn Hill Conservation Group, to gather fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

The event took place at the 900 tree orchard at Fryent Country Park in Kingsbury on Saturday, September 6.

Fifty two people took part and picked an impressive 583kg of apples and plums.

Most of the fruit will be going to make juice at Roe Green Walled Garden Open Day on September 13 and Queen's Park day on September 14, and some given to local schools.

Michael Stuart, who co-ordinates picks for Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters said: “It was amazing. We usually harvest from one tree in local back gardens. To have fifty volunteers picking from among 900 trees was like being in a sweet shop!”

Gerry Weston, who organises picks for Mapesbury Residents' Association, said: “Great to co-operate with so many other groups. It was a good social event – could have done with fewer nettles.”

Fryent Country Park has over a thousand fruit trees in all, largely planted and maintained by Barn Hill Conservation Group over the past thirty years, with some support from Brent Council.

Barn Hill's young conservation volunteers, the John Muir Award members, participated in the fruit pick on Saturday also.

David McClements of the Barn Hill Conservation Group said: “The youngsters did a brilliant job on Saturday in challenging conditions, with members of Barn Hill Conservation Group they harvested 100 kgs of apples from Bush Farm Orchard.”

The event follows the three harvesting groups' bumper harvest of three tons last year, when local apples, pears and plums were given to local schools and charities, and made into juice, chutney, jam and wine.

To get involved email kensaltokilburnharvesters@gmail.com , willesdenharvesters@gmail.com or MapRA email contact@mapra.org.