LOVE LOCAL
His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, has officially opened a new swathe of woodland in Fulbourn that has been created as part of Cheffins’ 200-year anniversary. Planting a tree on the site, His Royal Highness was given a brief tour of the woodland and was introduced to Cheffins’ senior staff, with other attendees including Lord- Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence, Cambridge city mayor Dinah Pounds and CEO of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust Shelly Thake. Located five miles from Cambridge city centre, the 2,500-tree woodland has been planted by Cheffins staff over five acres and is held on a 99-year lease. Made up of 12 different native deciduous trees and shrubs, the woodland represents the company’s commitment to biodiversity and carbon capture. ROYAL OPENING FOR CHEFFINS’ NEW WOODLAND
Green Street-based Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery is celebrating two major milestones, marking the beginning of an inspiring new chapter after 26 years of growth. Transitioning to an employee ownership trust (EOT) means that the talented team members who have helped shape each success are now key stakeholders in its future too. Coinciding with this change, Rebecca Howarth, who has been part of the team for 20 years, has been appointed as the company’s new managing director. Founder Harriet Kelsall, who remains an integral part of the business as founder-director and executive chair, said: “In many ways, our company has long been run in the spirit of an EOT, with its leadership structure and collaborative management style. This move formalises our already-embedded ethos.” Local jeweller forges new future
Rangeford Villages has announced a new volunteer programme at its Strawberry Fields retirement village for over 60s in Stapleford, developed in collaboration with Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. The partnership aims to support the hospice’s vital work while offering staff and owners meaningful opportunities to engage with the wider community. Through this programme, owners of Strawberry Fields will volunteer their time and skills to assist with a variety of hospice activities, from helping in the bistro to supporting fundraising events and providing companionship. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to enhancing wellbeing and building connections across generations. “It will empower owners to contribute to a cause that makes a profound difference in people’s lives,” said Annabel Blake, community and events manager at Rangeford Villages (pictured centre). RANGEFORD VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE
Four years since its inception, Cambridgeshire-based rewilding charity Creating Nature’s Corridors has revealed the results of an impact assessment measuring the value of work it has done so far. Launched with clear objectives to plant trees and create hedging, to encourage biodiversity while improving living environments for local communities, it has already planted 5km of hedgerow and two acres of woodland and orchard, undertaken 114 individual planting projects and added 40,050 trees and hedging plants to landscapes. Now, the charity is setting its sights on the 2025/26 planting programme, including a substantial initiative launched in collaboration with Anglian Water that will result in the creation of Rory’s Wood, a 35-acre woodland located on the western edge of Grafham Water. Rewilding charity shares successes
36 AUGUST 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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