M Group Highways celebrates 50 years of Frogmore Campus with community orchard launch

After helping to transform an empty field into a thriving hub for local people over
the last 10 months, our Highways team in Hampshire were delighted to attend
the launch of the community orchard at Frogmore Campus.

The orchard has been created to mark the 50th anniversary of Frogmore Campus,
which was celebrated at the launch event last month, attended by the town
mayor, local councillors and users of the site.

The project began in Summer 2024, when a local councillor asked the team to
create a human sundial and surrounding orchard. Utilising its engineering
expertise, the team developed a viable plan, ensuring the site was accessible
and environmentally friendly.

Following initial visits to the site, the team got underway with the project in
Autumn 2024. This included the creation of an asphalt pathway and raised
circular sundial area, installation of hand-carved stones and preparation of the
ground for wildflower, hedgerow and tree planting.

Working with the local community, local volunteers and children from nearby
schools helped to install 160m of hedgerows and 50 fruit trees, which were
donated by the Hampshire Forest Partnership. This project supported Hampshire
County Council’s mission to plant one million trees by 2050.

Adam Watts, Communications & Social Value Manager at M Group Highways,
said: “Seeing so many people at the launch event really brought home the
impact of this project. Local people will benefit from the green credentials of the
site, as the orchard flourishes for decades to come. We’re very grateful to our
supply chain partners BQS Services and Foremost Tree Surgeons for their support
with this.”

Our team in Hampshire continues to work to improve more community spaces
across the region, while delivering safer, greener highways on behalf of
Hampshire County Council.