A regional law firm is celebrating its involvement with this year’s Ringwood Carnival by offering its 170 staff a hands-on opportunity to make the town greener.
Gold Sponsor and long-standing supporter Ellis Jones Solicitors has teamed up with Carnival charity affiliate RACE so colleagues can volunteer work time to help with environmental projects in the community.
Standing for Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency, RACE brings local people together to take actions that help biodiversity and combat climate change.
One of the first projects that Ellis Jones staff will support under the partnership is the strimming and raking of a two-acre field on land forming part of Crow Hill ready for the planting of hedges and trees over the winter.
Sara West, Ringwood-based Commercial Property Executive at Ellis Jones, has advised RACE on legal aspects of the gifting of the land to the charity from the previous landowner.
Further activity during the autumn will include weeding a tree nursery and sowing wildflower seeds.
RACE Trustee Mary DeBoos said: “We are delighted to have this support from the staff at Ellis Jones. Company volunteering days make such a difference in a short space of time and provide a real morale boost to our regular volunteers.”
Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones, said: “Ringwood Carnival is one of the highlights of the town’s calendar and is all about having fun and supporting the community.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing support for the event and we see our partnership with affiliate charity RACE as a further way of benefiting the area while offering meaningful volunteering opportunities to our team.
“Taking part in community volunteering supports our staff wellbeing, workplace values and company culture.
“Many of our employees live locally and are keen to give something back to the community so our association with RACE fits well with that.”
The carnival, first held in 1928, raises money for local charities, organisations and good causes.
Organisers from Ringwood Carnival Society have once again lined up a host of activities for this year’s extravaganza including competitions, displays, entertainment, stalls and fairground rides.
The fun starts at midday on Saturday September 16 and includes two processions, at 2pm and 7.15pm, followed by fireworks at 9.30pm.
Ellis Jones employs 170 staff including 22 partners in five offices across the south as well as London. Its Ringwood office is at Monmouth Court in the town centre.
For more Carnival details, visit ringwoodcarnival.org/. For more information on Ellis Jones, visit www.ellisjones.co.uk/ and for RACE, www.raceagainsttime.org.uk.