UK's No.1 utility company support Suffolk's dormice

UK Power Networks, Platinum member of the Trust's Investor in wildlife scheme was named Utility of the Year in a double win at a glittering event last week.

The company beat strong competition to win both the prestigious Utility of the Year title and Team of the Year, at the Utility Industry Achievement Awards. 

UK Power Networks was a triple finalist at the awards, having been shortlisted for the Environment category in recognition of its unique partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and other Wildlife Trusts in the South Eastern region as well.

Two weeks before the black tie function in London, UK Power networks staff were out in the Suffolk countryside in their coats and wellies supporting dormice conservation. The hedgerows planted by the team will link up ancient woodlands in the south of the county enabling dormice to radiate out from their stronghold of Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve.

Box on a tube!

A barn owl box to be precise. Bob, as he affectionately became to be known throughout the day, was chapperoned down to London last week for the annual International Carillion S-Factor awards ceremony where the partnership between Suffolk Highways Partnership and the Trust  was being put forward in the biodiversity category.
We came runners up to a project in Dubai. I was pretty disappointed but not as much as Bob, so i promised to take a couple more photos of him by way of remembering his trip out of the county.

Who knows, he might have even been the first ever barn owl box to hit the capital's central district. We certainly had a few enquiries and thousands of quizzical looks.

NB no barn owl boxes were harmed in the making of this blog feature.

Grown by the Trust, Made by the Forge

Made by the Forge was founded in 2006 by blacksmith Richard Fishenden and his wife, Juliet.

Richard made a decision right at the start of the business to plant a tree in Suffolk for every product sold. Every year he plants native suffolk hedgerow but this year 2012 Richard contacted the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to see if they had an area he could help with. After learning that they are planning to plant 1000m of hedge to reconnect key areas of habitat for the dormouse he decided to donate all the money to help buy the hedge trees for this project.

The photograph is of Richard with Molly and Swift and some of the hedge row trees he planted Spring 2012.

 

Richard has developed a contemporary range of wrought iron kitchen wear and designed curtain poles and towel rails for the home. Recently they have added other home products handmade by local craftspeople in Suffolk to their website www.madebytheforge.co.uk.

 

Many thanks for your support.

Notcutts joins the Trust

Notcutts recently joined Suffolk Wildlife Trust as an 'Investor in Wildlife'  bronze member. The family owned group of individual garden centres have been supporting Snakes head fritillaries at Fox Fritillary Meadow nature reserve over a number of years and decided to demonstrate their commitment as a member in 2012. I look forward to developing a relationship with their staff during 2013 and onwards. Welcome Notcutts.

Christmas Cards

Suffolk Wildlife Trust's unique 100% donated Christmas card range are flying off the shelves all over the county. Every element of the card range has been donated including, design, paper, printing, packing, delivery and point of sale, ensuring that all of the funds raised go towards making a difference for wildlife on your doorstep. To buy your packs go to our website and see which local shop to you is selling the range or buy online/over the phone on 01473 890089.

A big thank you to our 2012 business supporters The Five Castles Press and sponsors Essex & Suffolk Water.

Culford School join the Trust

I am delighted to welcome Culford School as bronze level business members of our 'Investor in Wildlife ' scheme. The annual membership offers Culford School a number of benefits whilst we continue to make a difference for Suffolk's wildlife with the subs received.

The decision to join came about when Culford school engaged the Trust to undertake some advisory work to improve their grounds and estate for wildlife. I look forward to building our relationship with them in to the future.

To find out more about how to get your business involved please visit our website.

Legal and General on the pull

Trust Ranger, Sam Gay, welcomed a team of enthusiastic staff from Legal and General Insurance, Ipswich on to the Trusts newest reserve Knettishall Heath to undertake some practical conservation work on one of our  'green team' days. The scrub clearance (pulling and cutting) undertaken will help maintain the open heathland habitat which was once commonplace at Knettishall providing valuable refuge for rare plants and animals to live.

'We had a fantastic day, thoroughly enjoyed it and even the rain didn't put us off.  It was great to be involved in something completely different, and we could actually see the work we had done at the end of the day. Sam was so helpful and enthusiastic and we learnt a lot from her'.
Yvette Marsh, CSR Coordinator Legal and General Insurance.