Cobham to have a new 22 Oak Tree avenue
Waitrose Cobham is commemorating its 75th anniversary in the John Lewis Partnership by teaming up with Elmbridge Borough Council and Cobham Conservation Heritage Trust to create a new avenue of trees in Cobham.
22 English Oaks are to be planted on either side of the track running through the Leg O' Mutton field to complete an avenue of trees for the benefit of future generations.
Members of the public are invited to come and help plant trees either side of the road between the hours of 10am and 2pm on Saturday 23rd February 2013. The holes will have already been dug so the tree roots will just need topping off with topsoil.
The supermarket chain, Waitrose, has donated £1,500 towards the planting - to commemorate 75 years being part of the John Lewis Partnership. The idea of planting trees to mark the 75th anniversary came from Partners after Waitrose Managing Director, Mark Price, asked for suggestions to be put forward. Planting trees gives a sense of heritage and legacy, as well as having a positive impact on the environment which is an important part of the retailer's corporate and social responsibility policy, the Waitrose Way. A fund equivalent to £7.50 per Waitrose Partner has been made available to every branch across the country to help them celebrate the 75th anniversary. Every Waitrose shop is putting all or part of this fund towards a tree planting project in their local community. This work is being carried out in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council and Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust.
Elmbridge Borough Council who own the Leg O'Mutton field are contributing both their expertise and arranging for their contractors to dig the holes and supervise the plantings. Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust are coordinating the whole exercise.
Waitrose Cobham Personnel Manager, Rob Leete, said, "Tree planting is a fantastic way to celebrate our 75 years as part of the John Lewis Partnership. We are delighted to be doing something positive in the local community. All Partners at Waitrose Cobham are very excited about the upcoming event and hope the avenue will leave a true legacy. It has also allowed a close working Partnership between the Council, Cobham Conservation Trust and Waitrose which has allowed such a great project to work."
Mr Ian Gayton, Green Spaces Manager at Elmbridge Borough Council said: "The Council is delighted to make a contribution to this valuable project which will benefit the environment and future generations. In addition to enhancing the local area, it is also a fitting way of commemorating The John Lewis Partnership's commitment to the community".
Sir Gerald Acher Chairman of Cobham Conservation Heritage Trust said: I am thrilled that Waitrose who are so important in the retail scene are using this initiative for the benefit of the Community in this very important open space in Cobham. We work well with both Waitrose and Elmbridge BC on various separate initiatives and it is really great that we are all joined together on this important project. May all three organisations flourish for as long as these Oak Trees!
