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Past winners' testimonials: Francis McCrickard Past winners' testimonials: Francis McCrickard
(2 days later)
Francis McCrickard established wildflower meadows and a climate change walk in the Myddelton Grange Centre in Ilkley.Francis McCrickard established wildflower meadows and a climate change walk in the Myddelton Grange Centre in Ilkley.
What has winning at the Observer Ethical Awards meant for your project?What has winning at the Observer Ethical Awards meant for your project?
Winning the award has brought more local attention to all of the above. I have received requests to lead groups around the Climate Change Walk explaining why I worked to establish it and also requests to speak on both the Woodland/Meadow project and the work of the Ilkley Tools for Africa group. These have come from Rotarians, Soroptomists, and Inner Wheel groups as well as schools and natural history societies. Receiving the award has also given me even more incentive to continue and to expand the work.Winning the award has brought more local attention to all of the above. I have received requests to lead groups around the Climate Change Walk explaining why I worked to establish it and also requests to speak on both the Woodland/Meadow project and the work of the Ilkley Tools for Africa group. These have come from Rotarians, Soroptomists, and Inner Wheel groups as well as schools and natural history societies. Receiving the award has also given me even more incentive to continue and to expand the work.
Related: Observer Ethical Awards 2015 - nominate now
What have you gone on to do since winning the award and what are your future plans?What have you gone on to do since winning the award and what are your future plans?
Wildlife MeadowWildlife Meadow
I have continued with the work cutting the meadow twice each year, spreading more yellow rattle seed to subdue the grasses and to allow more species of flowers to establish themselves. In autumn, to help with this, I also rotovated some areas where the grasses dominated and reseeded with wild flower seed, including new species.I have continued with the work cutting the meadow twice each year, spreading more yellow rattle seed to subdue the grasses and to allow more species of flowers to establish themselves. In autumn, to help with this, I also rotovated some areas where the grasses dominated and reseeded with wild flower seed, including new species.
Tree PlantationsTree Plantations
I have filled all the land available at the moment and most of the work is replacing trees that haven’t taken, repairing those that are damaged in some way, and wondering what to do about the widespread infestation of field voles. With some of the earliest plantings, I have had the great satisfaction of releasing them from their deer guards as they have matured enough to resist such attention on their own. This in turn has created a new problem: who recycles such plastic?I have filled all the land available at the moment and most of the work is replacing trees that haven’t taken, repairing those that are damaged in some way, and wondering what to do about the widespread infestation of field voles. With some of the earliest plantings, I have had the great satisfaction of releasing them from their deer guards as they have matured enough to resist such attention on their own. This in turn has created a new problem: who recycles such plastic?
Climate Change WalkClimate Change Walk
I have been engaged in general maintenance of the path and the signs but a lot more is required in the way of effort and expenditure than I can manage. It is falling into disrepair in parts and I lack support from the trustees of the diocese to whom responsibility for management of the land falls.I have been engaged in general maintenance of the path and the signs but a lot more is required in the way of effort and expenditure than I can manage. It is falling into disrepair in parts and I lack support from the trustees of the diocese to whom responsibility for management of the land falls.
Ilkley Tools for Africa (a branch of Tools for Self-Reliance)Ilkley Tools for Africa (a branch of Tools for Self-Reliance)
With a few other volunteers, I continue to collect tools people no longer needed and these have been added to our store of tools to refurbish and recycle to communities in several African countries. We now operate from two workshops and twice a year send off pallets heavily loaded with crates of the required kits (carpenters, builders, automechanics). Malawi and Sierra Leone are two countries that have received tools and sewing machines from us recently.With a few other volunteers, I continue to collect tools people no longer needed and these have been added to our store of tools to refurbish and recycle to communities in several African countries. We now operate from two workshops and twice a year send off pallets heavily loaded with crates of the required kits (carpenters, builders, automechanics). Malawi and Sierra Leone are two countries that have received tools and sewing machines from us recently.
What challenges have you had to face in regards to your project (or indeed in your life) since the award?What challenges have you had to face in regards to your project (or indeed in your life) since the award?
After taking a lengthy holiday two winters ago, I was very disappointed to see that a pheasant shoot had been established on the land with permission of the diocesan trustees. I had not spent a great deal of my time and energy in order to provide cover for birds to be shot throughout the winter months by a small minority of outdoor sportsmen.After taking a lengthy holiday two winters ago, I was very disappointed to see that a pheasant shoot had been established on the land with permission of the diocesan trustees. I had not spent a great deal of my time and energy in order to provide cover for birds to be shot throughout the winter months by a small minority of outdoor sportsmen.
Have there been any nice surprises along the way?Have there been any nice surprises along the way?
On 2 November 2013, along with Bradford Environmental Action Trust, I helped organise a Woodland Celebration Day at Myddelton Grange. The weather was particularly foul but 200 people turned up to see demonstrations hedge-laying and pole-lathe woodturning alongside dry stone walling, walking stick making and other country crafts. I led two large and appreciative groups on the Climate Change Walk on that day.On 2 November 2013, along with Bradford Environmental Action Trust, I helped organise a Woodland Celebration Day at Myddelton Grange. The weather was particularly foul but 200 people turned up to see demonstrations hedge-laying and pole-lathe woodturning alongside dry stone walling, walking stick making and other country crafts. I led two large and appreciative groups on the Climate Change Walk on that day.
Do you have any advice for other people who are thinking of entering the awards about what makes a great entry?Do you have any advice for other people who are thinking of entering the awards about what makes a great entry?
Work that is clearly practical and has clear tangible results such as maturing trees, an insect-filled meadow and good tools that will allow artisans in some of the poorest communities in the world to make a living.Work that is clearly practical and has clear tangible results such as maturing trees, an insect-filled meadow and good tools that will allow artisans in some of the poorest communities in the world to make a living.
Work that communicates its benefits clearly to the local and broader communities. I have been supported well by local community groups such as Rotary, Round Table and the churches.Work that communicates its benefits clearly to the local and broader communities. I have been supported well by local community groups such as Rotary, Round Table and the churches.
Work quietly appreciated by your family and friends to such a degree that you don’t know you’ve been entered for the award until the short-list is sprung on you.Work quietly appreciated by your family and friends to such a degree that you don’t know you’ve been entered for the award until the short-list is sprung on you.
What does being ‘ethical’ mean to you?What does being ‘ethical’ mean to you?
Being ethical means doing what is right. I believe an important part of our purpose on earth is to cherish the resources we have been provided with and try to make sure that they can be enjoyed by future generations. It’s a call to responsibility and an understanding of common purpose.Being ethical means doing what is right. I believe an important part of our purpose on earth is to cherish the resources we have been provided with and try to make sure that they can be enjoyed by future generations. It’s a call to responsibility and an understanding of common purpose.
We have to believe that we can make a difference, that we are called to make a difference. We have to believe that commitment to love of others; to justice, including environmental, and peace in the world is at the centre of our being, is why we are here, and is what will bring true fulfilment.We have to believe that we can make a difference, that we are called to make a difference. We have to believe that commitment to love of others; to justice, including environmental, and peace in the world is at the centre of our being, is why we are here, and is what will bring true fulfilment.