Ruddingtonians who have a reason to walk via the private, gravel road between Clifton Road and Fairham Close will almost certainly have spotted a slightly odd L-shaped patch of previously overgrown land on the corner, just outside the western gates of ‘Paradise Gardens’ Allotments.
Its custodians are Ruddington Parish Council, which also owns and manages the allotments but, due to a restrictive covenant, has found it quite difficult to know what to actually ‘do’ with this relatively small, extra ‘green’ area. A fence erected recently was removed hastily when it was realised ‘fencing it off’ is not permitted either! The site’s often shabby appearance has been quite a contrast to the well tended plots just through the allotment gates.
To improve both the appearance and biodiversity of this problematic area, Parish Council Chair Graham Fletcher and his wife Mandy found assistance from Artex Ltd on Pasture Lane – to provide further volunteers to help their ‘tree team’ clear the site and assist with small tree and shrub planting. They and other Parish Councillors have been onsite today (Wednesday 27th July) to progress the work. Pictured top (L to R) are Mandy Fletcher, Cllr Stephanie Palmer, Cllr Graham Fletcher and Cllr John Hawson, plus Artex volunteers Mark Thomas, Andy Fox, Craig Stokes & James Roberts (in the fluorescent jackets) behind them.
Cllr Fletcher says: “It was great to have the guys from Artex today working with Parish Councillors under the guidance of Mandy Fletcher on this local community project. After clearing the borders which, to be honest after the very dry period, was hard going, they planted several buddlia and hellebores and they also expressed an interest in returning for Phase 2 of this ongoing project. It’s a wonderful collaboration between both business and the local community.”
The four Artex colleagues were here on a ‘Sustainability Action Day’ encouraged by the eco-minded Ruddington company. Every employee is entitled to take one day of paid leave per year to volunteer in their local community on a project or activity which has a sustainable benefit. Artex had committed to completing at least twenty ‘Sustainability Action Days’ this year and the firm reveals it’s on track to go well beyond that target in 2022.
An Artex company spokesperson told RUDDINGTON.info: “We’re delighted to be volunteering in our local communities to make a positive sustainable impact through our Sustainability Action Days. So far our colleagues have signed up for tree and hedgerow planting, litter picks and preparing ground at a local school this summer. Not only are we hoping to support our local community through this initiative, but also the health and wellbeing of our colleagues.”
Artex adds it’s always on the lookout for volunteering opportunities in Ruddington and elsewhere that its employees could attend as part of its ongoing ‘Sustainability Action Days’ initiative. You’re invited to get in touch via artexcommunications@saint-gobain.com with any sustainability volunteering opportunities you may have.
{Photos by RUDDINGTON.info and courtesy of Artex Ltd & Graham Fletcher}
