23 September 2015
DS Smith and Keep Britain Tidy are working in
partnership around England in communities where DS Smith have
businesses. The partnership is working towards improving green
areas within their communities.
The DS Smith staff at Kemsley Mill in Kent decided an area that
needed improvement was the Saxon Shore Way which runs adjacent to
the Mill along the Swale coastline. Over the years this area has
been neglected. Concrete blocks and other rubbish had
accumulated.
With the help of three companies that support DS Smith on the
site (Hollisters, HML and FGS) some of the old mill grindstones
were relocated to make a barrier to prevent vehicles accessing the
footpath. These old grindstones were then cleaned in readiness for
two days where volunteers litter picked and painted the area.
In addition to the grindstones, a seating area has been created
and other areas secured and painted as required.
A message from Swale Borough Council about the works, "I
hope you have recovered from your tidy up and planting last week, I
must say it was brilliantly organised and we were so impressed with
how much you have already achieved. I am always happy to come and
lend a hand if you need it. Kind regards."
What the DS Smith volunteers thought, "It was great to
support a really worthwhile cause. This is a really beautiful area
that many people in the Mill don't know exist. Although we were
next to the Mill there are certain parts of the walk where you
cannot see or hear the Mill. Now the area is cleared we should make
it easier to access the Saxon Shore Way from the Mill to enable
employees to walk there in the summer months."
"I hope we now receive the recognition of the Green Flag
award of improving our local community green space with the Green
Flag Award."
Thank you to all the volunteers at Kemsley Mill: Steve E, Ada C,
Lawrence M, Vanessa L, Donna C, Carol R, Carl M, Dave C, Fan T,
Peter G, Jo S, Jelena R, Andy W, Alex B, Guy L, David L, Martin H,
Vicki B, John B, Dave W, Pat A, Kerri B, Doug W, Pete D, Andy K,
Jonathan S, Ben J and Ben's children, Amber and Noah.
Staff at other DS Smith sites around the country are
doing other works to improve their local areas too. Watch this
space and we'll keep you updated on other projects and successes at
their sites.