Melville has teamed up with primary school pupils and a local development trust to celebrate the coronation, and to honour the incredible life and service of her late Majesty the Queen.

As part of coronation celebrations, Melville donated two plum trees and a memorial plaque to the community garden at the Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust (MAEDT) Pavilion in Mayfield Park, and were joined by children from Mayfield Primary School to help plant them.

“We have regular visits from local school kids, and we really enjoy showing them round the garden and teaching them a wee bit about what we do here,” said Pavilion Development Worker Phil Morris. “It’s always lovely to see their enthusiasm but even more so in marking this special occasion and we’re very grateful to Melville for this kind donation.”

All produce grown in the community garden, including future fruit from the new plum trees, is used in the Pavilion café (open Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 2pm) or distributed to the community through the Mayfield Pantry at Bogwood Court.    

“We were delighted to come along to the Pavilion and see for ourselves some of the fantastic work Sharon, Phil and the team do,” said Melville Chief Executive John McMorrow. “Given the new King’s love of wildlife and the tree planting that went on as part of last year’s jubilee celebrations, a donation of these plum trees seemed very fitting. It was even more special to be joined by local school children who I hope will be enjoying the fruits of these trees for years to come.”

This latest collaboration between Melville and MAEDT follows the building last year of an innovative Polycrub, making locally grown fruit and veg available all-year-round. Installation of the sustainable polytunnel/greenhouse hybrid at the Pavilion garden was paid for with funding from Melville.