Easing of Covid Restrictions Kick Starts Work on an East Cleveland Community Facility

Geoff Clark and Stuart White hammering in a roof bolt which hold the edging boards in place.

As the coronavirus restrictions begin to ease residents in Skelton and the surrounding east Cleveland villages will soon be able to revisit a much-loved community facility and see for themselves the improvement work being carried out.

Work has restarted on a Community Garden called Ringrose Orchard. It was previously called the Community Garden but a poll of locals showed they wanted it to be named in memory of Mrs Ringrose-Wharton, a former owner of Skelton Castle who was much respected locally. It is thanks to the generosity of the current landowner Mr Anthony Wharton that the area was made into this peaceful haven.

Geoff Clark from the Friends of Skelton Community Orchard( FOSCO) community involvement group said: “It’s been a frustrating time for us all with lockdown, the wet weather and winter, but now volunteers can start work outside to tend to the orchard. But only in groups of no more than six,” he added.

The farside path, in particular, was badly in need of repair. Geoff was quick to praise us and another local company.

“We are really grateful for the help we have been given by ICL Boulby who fabricated some former roof bolts to hold everything in place. They have been perfect for the job,” he said. “And another mention must go to RES Teesside who supplied us with scaffold boards. It’s looking really good,” he added.

In time the area will become a stunning wildflower meadow. For now, as the weather warms up, what better place for locals to meet up and get a breath of fresh air and catch up with each other. To keep up to date with the project visit the Skelton Past and Present Facebook site.

This will soon be a riot of colour, butterflies and bees.