LITTLE Downham s new community orchard was officially opened on Saturday, after nine years of work on the project. The orchard was planted by volunteers in the village in December last year, using only old Cambridgeshire apple varieties provided by the E

LITTLE Downham's new community orchard was officially opened on Saturday, after nine years of work on the project.

The orchard was planted by volunteers in the village in December last year, using only old Cambridgeshire apple varieties provided by the East of England Apple and Orchard Project.

Keith Norton, of the Parish Conservation Group, said: "This project has been achieved by sheer determination and patience, together with it being the right project at the right time."

The day was an opportunity for the group to say thank you to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rural Development Service and Downham Feoffees Village Charity for their support with the project.