Full circle: from Royal roots to wildlife wins
We don’t measure success in seasons; we measure it in decades. Two recent stories from our work across the UK perfectly illustrate the “Wright Way” – a commitment to the past, the present, and the sustainable future of English Willow.
Harvesting a 60-year legacy (Nottinghamshire)
In the Trent Valley, we recently returned to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Farndon Willow Holt. Our connection here began in the 1960s, and the trees we harvested this month were planted by our own team nearly 20 years ago. This isn’t just about timber. As the Trust noted, our sustainable harvesting provides vital funds to protect and bring back rare and threatened species. It’s a “Wildlife Win” that ensures these rare habitats are preserved for the next generation.
Read more on the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website.
Planting for the next generation (the Duchy of Lancaster)
While we harvest in the East, we are planting in the West. We are honoured to be working with the Duchy of Lancaster on the Crewe Estate in Cheshire. As part of a major woodland restructuring, we are replacing over-mature poplar with 200 of our premium indigenous willows. Estate Director Laura Airton highlighted the importance of this partnership: these trees will lock up carbon for the next 20 years, storage that continues even after the wood is transformed into a world-class cricket bat. Being recognized by the Duchy as “market leaders” is a responsibility we take to heart.
Read more on the Duchy of Lancaster’s website.
The JSW standard: powering the World Cup knockouts
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup enters its final, thrilling few days in India, the “JSW Standard” is more visible than ever. With the semi-finals just days away, including a mouth-watering clash between England and India, the world’s best power-hitters are reaching for their most trusted equipment. It is a testament to our decades of dedication that, at the highest level of the global game, 7 out of every 10 bats on the field started their journey in a JSW-managed woodland. From the first tree planted at the Crewe Estate to the final “ping” in a World Cup tournament, we are proud to be the “heartwood” of the sport.