The National Memorial Arboretum given a spruce up thanks to the Big Co-op Clean

Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 04/07/2016

Staff from Central England Co-operative Funeralcare gave up their time to brighten up the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum in Burton. 

The clean-up operation at the National Memorial Arboretum, which took place on Thursday 23 June, is part of a UK-wide initiative, The Big Co-op Clean, where thousands of co-op members demonstrate the power of working together to make a positive difference to their local environment and community.

Kevin Crute, Head of Funeral at Central England Co-operative, said: “We have had a fantastic day at the National Memorial Arboretum, the weather has been great and the staff kept us busy. At Central England Co-operative Funeralcare, we are passionate about enhancing memories and love for our families and our work at the National Memorial Arboretum puts this ethos into action.

“We spent the day tidying the grounds, making a positive difference and demonstrating what being a co-operative business is all about.”

Jason Humphreys from the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “We are very grateful for the help provided by Central England Co-operative volunteers. Their work besides the confluence of the rivers Trent and Tame will ensure one of the most beautiful areas of our site, Watersmeet, is welcoming to visitors at the same time as preserving habitats and its rich diversity of wildlife.”

Ed Mayo is Secretary General for Co-operatives UK, the trade body behind Co-operatives Fortnight. He said: “It’s great that Central England Co-operative, like so many other co-ops, is backing this year’s campaign. It’s a small way of demonstrating that co-ops are different to other types of business. Because they are owned by their members – employees, customers or suppliers – and not distant shareholders, local issues and concerns are more of a priority. That’s just one of the reasons why Central England Co-operative is taking action.”  

To watch the video, please visit: http://ow.ly/KUe2301RRfU

Notes to editors

Co-operatives Fortnight is a two-week period when co-operatives of all shapes and sizes across the UK come together to encourage people to choose co-operative. It is a sector-wide national campaign organised by Co-operatives UK, sponsored generously by some of the UK’s most successful co-operatives and brought to life by co-ops across the UK.
The Big Co-op Clean theme was launched in 2014 as a focused activity that co-operatives of all kinds could organise. More than 100 co-ops participated in organising clean-ups of local parks, river banks, beaches and public spaces, or encouraged their customers to clean out their cupboards and donate to foodbanks.
Co-operatives are businesses owned and run by their members. There are nearly 7,000 independent co-operatives across the UK, working in all parts of the economy – from football to farming, retail to renewable energy.

For more information visit http://www.uk.coop/choosecoop

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17.  The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2015/16.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

For more information visit http://www.centralengland.coop follo,w Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth / Jo Baldock at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop