A LOCAL project led by two eco-conscious parents have planted hundreds of trees in their village thanks to funds raised from selling ethically-sourced toilet paper.
To fund the purchase of the trees, the project bulk bought toilet paper from carbon-neutral company ‘Who Gives a C**p’, which invests 50 per-cent of its profits in ethical projects around the world.
In return for buying in bulk, the company gave the project a small discount on each box, which they then sold to residents at the normal cost per box and put the money raised into buying saplings from The Woodland Trust.
Peter Hood explained: “Within a couple of days we had our first ten customers and made our first £90.
“With very little effort afterwards, some new customers and a few repeat customers we had around £500 with which to buy our first trees, but importantly we were starting to build up a reserve for maintenance in the future.”
The group later purchased apple, pear, plum, cherry, walnut and oak trees from local nurseries as well as tools and equipment from other eco-friendly sources, causing ‘a green cascade’ of investment.
Their admirable efforts were recognised by BBC Points West, who visited the site of a small orchard they had planted last month.
The project hopes to continue its work to protect the environment locally and are looking to support more projects in the future, including a local farmer who is aiming to re-plant orchards between Newnham and Long Wood, just below Blaize Bailey.
Peter says that he and Rev. Joe started the project as they felt that they needed to take climate matters into their own hands by coming up with ideas to improve their local environment.
“In essence, we were just two parents dropping off our kids at the school gates, talking about the sad world that the kids were going to inherit from us with the effects of climate change,” he said.
“For decades we have seen this climate crisis coming without our government seeming to be bothered, so it is up to us as individuals to come up with ideas for improving our environment where we live.
“For us that meant finding positive things we could do in and around Newnham to bring people and nature together and do our bit to capture carbon by planting trees.
“We had to raise money in an ethical way, from nothing, to spend on planting trees, shrubs and bee friendly plants.
“No grants, no need for advertising, no handouts to make it work. Most importantly it had to be an model that could be copied in any village or town.
“To date we have planted upwards of three hundred trees, and loads of bee friendly plants and shrubs in three areas in Newnham.
“We have put money aside for the future maintenance of these areas and are now looking to support a local farmer re-plant the orchards between Newnham and Long Wood.”
Peter also praised the continued support of Newnham Parish Council, as well as the encouragement they have received from the local community.
“Community involvement in our project has happened quite naturally, as what we have done is to start planting in different areas and then encourage people near to the area to get involved if they want to,” he continued.
“When people see something physically happening in a positive way, they start donating plants, or dedicate a tree to a passed loved one.
“One of the most important things that has made this work has been the continued support of Newnham Parish Council, they have trusted us to take on different areas and try to make positive changes for the environment.”