Tranent man's bid for world peace. . .through apple trees!

Alan Bell, of Muirpark, is leading the charge to plant more fruit trees in the town.

He told the Courier: “The idea came from a few groups I speak with, who work outside this country, and they believe in world peace. Basically, the motto is if we can agree on one thing, it would be world peace – because who could disagree on that?

“They want people to plant trees and orchards, because what is better than free food that people can have whenever they want.”

The first trees are yet to be planted, but Alan has launched an appeal on Facebook asking people for their ideas about where to plant them.

He said: “We’ve got thousands of people interested worldwide, but even my post on Tranent Folks [a Facebook group] was popular. I think it got 30 replies in the first couple of hours, so that was quite encouraging. “It would be somewhere in public view, so you could prevent vandalisation or damage, but also out of the way of people so they wouldn’t be hit by falling fruit or slip on fallen fruit. People also suggested somewhere like a children’s schoolyard or area, which is good because teachers and janitors can see over them.”

Alan says he is delighted to have the support of East Lothian Council.

He added: “I thought why not ask the council about it and they were very enthusiastic and loved the idea.

“It was a surprise, but I was delighted, obviously.”

Alan was further motivated after a tour round an orchard in Glasgow.

The 52-year-old said: “It was a children’s orchard in the botanical gardens, and he allowed me to sponsor a tree there and get a plaque with my name on it.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson told the Courier: “A Tranent resident has approached the council with a proposal to plant apple trees in Tranent.

“No sites have yet been identified and a member of the local amenity team will meet Mr Bell to discuss his idea more fully and to agree possible sites.”

Alan will now meet with Andrew Hogarth, an area amenity officer.