Brentford FC Supports New Orchard in Robin Grove Park

Club helps fund the planting of 14 fruit trees

Club representatives joined councillors and local school children for the ceremony. Picture: Hounslow Council

March 18, 2025

A tree planting ceremony was held recently in Robin Grove Park with a new orchard being funded by Brentford FC.

First team regulars Ethan Pinnock and Mikkel Damsgaard were on hand along with club ambassador, Marcus Gayle and mascot Buzz, to see 14 new apple and pear trees put in the ground. They were joined by the Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Karen Smith, and Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces at Hounslow Council on Monday 10 March for the ceremony.

Students from Brentford School for Girls planted two of the new trees. The Lampton Greenspace team managed the day’s planting and will care for the trees moving forwards

Orchards have played an important role in the area for many centuries, and many local greenspaces were historically orchards and the borough was a key provider of fruit and vegetables for the city, right up until the early 20th century.

In recent years, Hounslow Council has been honouring this legacy by planting 16 little orchards in its parks, favouring hardy, native apple, pear and plum trees. It is hoped these fruit orchards will encourage local people to take ownership of and pride in their neighbourhoods.

This work compliments Hounslow Council’s ‘Grow for the Future’ project which is delivering the UK’s first-ever policy of transforming neglected spaces into orchards, community gardens and allotments. These are paired with schools and community groups, to bring biodiversity, sustainability and healthy food closer to home.

James Beale, Brentford FCs sustainability manager, said, “We’re grateful to Hounslow Council for helping us develop this orchard, as well as all those from the community who planted trees with us.

“Nature is a key pillar of our work here at Brentford. By enhancing and building green spaces, we can take small, but significant steps to nurturing our environment for our habitat and society. We hope the community can enjoy this space and benefit from it.”

Cllr Salman Shaheen said, “We’re celebrating Hounslow’s latest orchard at Robin Grove Park and I’d like to thank Brentford FC for their help with this.

“It was lovely to see local school students wielding shovels, under the careful supervision of Lampton Greenspace staff, and making sure the trees were given the best start in their new home.

“We hope that these same children will join other local people in watching the trees grow, thrive and bear fruit. Seeing first hand where our food comes from and forging a greater connection with food growing and picking free fruit in Hounslow’s parks.”