HBPW Backs ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ Tree Initiative

Four centuries on from the ‘birth of a nation’, HBPW is throwing its weight behind two East Midlands community organisations, set to commemorate the year in which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America, with a district wide tree planting initiative.

The Rotary Club of Retford and Sustainable Bassetlaw have launched an eco-campaign that will see the planting of 1,620 trees over the next two years. That was also the year in which the Mayflower and its ‘Pilgrims’ – many originally from the East Midlands – set sail from Plymouth, Devon to establish what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts.

And Paul Withers, Managing Partner at HBPW, as well as Chairman of Retford Rotary’s Environmental Committee, is fully behind the campaign which is calling on schools, community organisations, local people and companies to collect thousands of old aluminium cans so they can be ‘sold’ for a penny each to raise cash that will pay for the ‘whips’ or baby trees.

“Retford, where HBPW is based, is at the centre of where many of the 17^th century Pilgrims came from,” said Paul, “so it seemed totally appropriate that we should piggy back this international celebratory year which is being commemorated in both the US and here in the UK.

“Scrooby village, just north of the town, has a pub called The Pilgrim Fathers, so it goes without saying that we operate in the heart of where much of modern America has its origins. I wanted HBPW to align itself with such a worthy cause so we are supporting the campaign with some paid for promotional advertising to help get it started.”

The immediate aim is to secure funds – in the region of £2,000 – to buy the 1620 ‘whips’, essentially unbranched tree seedlings that have been specifically grown for planting out.

Working with Andrew Crossland and Tracy Boardman from Sustainable Bassetlaw, Paul and his two colleagues, jointly came up with the idea of collecting old aluminium drink cans.

“Cans are worth around 1p each,” said Andrew Crossland of Sustainable Bassetlaw. “which means we will need to collect somewhere in the region of 200,000 if we are to stand any chance of raising the £2,000 ‘seed’ capital required.

“We are calling on everyone to get involved by setting up their own ‘can banks’: companies, community groups, scouts, guides, sports clubs, you name it!” he added.

It will cost in the region of £1.14p to purchase and plant each tiny tree and the plan is to procure them locally.

“This is an eco double-whammy,” added Paul Withers. “Not only are we making a positive impact on the environment by planting new trees, but we are also raising the necessary cash to achieve this with a major recycling initiative . It is the perfect win win scenario.”

Rotary will also be supporting local schools with the aid of ‘mentors’ thanks to its ‘Rota Kids’ division. “There will be lots of tree planting initiatives at schools, in public parks and people’s private gardens with tree give away events,” Paul added.