“HAPPY TREES, HAPPY PLANET, HAPPY PEOPLE!”
On Sunday, 21st of July, Shenton Group’s very own Brand Manager Nicole Wells and her family took part in Andover carnival’s parade, supporting the charity Andover Trees United. The year 2024 marked 100 years of this beloved procession.
The parade is an opportunity for local charities and organisations to come together, raise awareness for their causes, and collect donations. This year, the carnival hopes to raise enough money to support Purple Oak with the development of a sensory garden in one of its respite centres and support up to 20 girls from low-income backgrounds to spend a whole year enjoying what Girlguiding Andover has to offer.
Families, locals, and special guests gathered to enjoy the carnival. The streets of Andover, Hampshire, were filled with music and the sound of laughter, making it a real family occasion that brings the community together. Performers on the floats, decorated in vibrant colours, waved and smiled at observers. Each float had a distinct theme, with local school groups dressed in handcrafted costumes, a marching band, a steam train, and community organisations displaying their creative talents.
Andover Trees United had a Land Rover covered in flowers and butterflies, a real wildflower roof, and a large papier-mâché ladybird on the bonnet, accompanied by a team of volunteers dressed as creatures you would find in the meadow!
Who are Andover Trees United?
Andover Trees United is a volunteer-led charity partnering with schools, authorities, businesses, environmental groups, and artists to promote conservation, enhance biodiversity, and raise awareness about the climate and nature crises. They specialise in educating children and young people about the effects planting trees have on our planet!
Wendy Davis founded Andover Trees United in 2011 and also serves as the UK coordinator for the UN Environment Programme’s Plant-for-the-Planet, helping 8–14-year-olds train as Climate Justice Ambassadors.
Through collaborative efforts with multiple schools in Andover and the surrounding villages, the charity aimed to have at least one tree planted in Harmony Woods by every young person in the community between 2012 and 2022. Each year, entire year groups from participating schools, totaling 1,000 children annually, came to plant trees. The goal was for every child and young person in our community to contribute to the creation of a woodland they could enjoy, help maintain, and learn in with their schools over the decade.
“The environment has always been my passion, and I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to educate and involve young people in environmental issues,” Wendy explained. “I am so, so pleased to hear Shenton Group’s willingness to support us in our campaigns.”
When the opportunity arose to support Andover Trees in the Carnival, Nicole (Brand Manager, Shenton Group) jumped at the opportunity… She explains: “Sustainability and the environment have always been close to my heart. At Shenton Group, we are passionate about contributing to a sustainable future, raising awareness, and reducing waste and carbon emissions. Meeting Wendy, the inspiring founder of Andover Trees United, was wonderful, and we are excited to build a strong partnership to support their mission for a brighter future.”
This event marks the start of a relationship we plan to blossom (pun intended) with future plans for the Shenton Group team to get involved in tree and wildflower planting!
You can find out more about Andover Trees United and different ways to get involved and support the charity here.