Growing new roots
Lancashire Life|August 2020
The Peel Bank Woodland and Conservation Trust is working to plant more trees at sites across Lancashire
Lauren Allen
Growing new roots

A revolutionary move to offset carbon emissions in 1989 by the managing director of a small engineering company is today prompting the planting of more trees in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

During the very early years of the concept of global warming and using trees to sequester carbon, Gordon Swindells made it his mission to make the company – situated at Peel Bank Works in Church, Accrington – carbon neutral.

With the help and research of the biological science department at The University of Manchester, Emerson & Renwick calculated its carbon emissions, how many trees and on how much land it would need to offset those emissions. It funded student research projects into the efficient use of energy, tree growth and the long term storage of carbon in wood products to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

‘It was one of the first companies to look at doing that,’ says Gordon’s daughter Laura Taylor. The company made regular contributions to purchase land and fund tree-planting in local areas until 2002, but when Gordon retired, the project was turned into an independent self-funded charity, the Peel Bank

Woodland and Conservation Trust, and split off from the engineering company. Laura has been a trustee there for the last 30 years.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LANCASHIRE LIFEView all
A Shopper's Paradise
Lancashire Life

A Shopper's Paradise

‘Anything is possible’ is the boast of a famous Knightsbridge shop and it could equally apply to Clitheroe, where shoppers come eager to pick up something just that little bit different, especially in the run-up to Christmas

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Back from the brink?
Lancashire Life

Back from the brink?

There are signs hedgehog numbers might be recovering, and we can all do our bit to help them, says Alan Wright of Lancashire Wildlife Trust

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Lancashire Life

Memories of a LANCASHIRE CHILDHOOD

Blackburn-born Sara Foster has had a string of bestsellers on the other side of the world. With her latest novel now out, she reflects on her Lancashire roots

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
The tale of BEATRIX'S VALLEY
Lancashire Life

The tale of BEATRIX'S VALLEY

Land once owned by Beatrix Potter is at the heart of a noisy row over how we enjoy the Lake District

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Liverpool's pyramid scheme
Lancashire Life

Liverpool's pyramid scheme

We’ve seen the shape of things to come – and it’s a pyramid. But are you ready to spend the afterlife piled high with 34,591 other people in Toxteth?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Around the world in 2000 paintings
Lancashire Life

Around the world in 2000 paintings

Preston artist Martyn Hanks has spent 60 years globetrotting with his paints and brushes

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
WALKING THE BORDER
Lancashire Life

WALKING THE BORDER

This glorious walk in the hills around Earby takes a peek over the county line

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
We will remember them
Lancashire Life

We will remember them

For a hundred years the Cenotaph has been the focal point for a nation’s grief, but few know its connection to Kirkby Lonsdale

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
A pawfect day out
Lancashire Life

A pawfect day out

The grounds of Holker Hall at Cartmel are a favourite with human and canine visitors

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
A LEGACY of LOVE
Lancashire Life

A LEGACY of LOVE

An unusual war memorial in Lancaster is a haven for wildlife and young people from the city

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020