A GARDEN party has been held at Blackmarston School to celebrate its new orchard.

The first orchard to be planted by Herefordshire's Orchard Art project, the 11 heritage apple and pear trees had been planted with the help of pupils this spring and the children are helping to water and care for the trees.

Blackmarston School is Hereford's primary school for children with learning disabilities, some of whom also have physical disabilities.

Sited on the playing field close to the school buildings, the orchard is accessible by all the children and, as it grows, will create an inspiring outdoor classroom space.

The garden party took place in brilliant sunshine and the entire school joined in. Guests were led by Lady McFarlane, Deputy Lieutenant; the Rt Rev Richard Frith, Bishop of Hereford; and Cllr Sue Boulter, Deputy Mayor of Hereford and also included representatives of funders of the school and the Orchard Art project.

Guests walked around the orchard and each tree was introduced by a pupil who explained what the fruit was going to be like. The Bishop of Hereford led a prayer of blessing, and everyone joined in singing of the Orchard Art song.

Lady McFarlane said "It was a great honour to represent Lady Darnley at Blackmarston School's very imaginative Orchard Art event. I was made extremely welcome and had a lovely time meeting many pupils, staff and governors as well as looking round the orchard and meeting the pupils who had planted each tree."

Awards were presented to children to acknowledge special achievement and the afternoon was rounded off with refreshments including strawberries very kindly donated by S&A Produce.

Musical accompaniment was provided by a wonderful string quartet who had come together specially for the event, and by Blackmarston School choir.

The Orchard Art project is run by the Brightspace Foundation (formerly the Bulmer Foundation) and works in partnership to enable people with learning disabilities of all ages to spend quality time in some of Herefordshire's many orchards. The project's activities in this last year have been funded by the E F Bulmer Benevolent Fund and Comic Relief, administered by Herefordshire Community Foundation.