HRH The Prince of Wales launches START initiative on a visit to Todmorden

On 8 September, HRH The Prince of Wales visited the amazing Yorkshire town of Todmorden on the third day of his Start tour.  The tour took the Prince, via Royal Train, to ten different locations throughout Britain to celebrate sustainable community living.

In Todmorden, The Prince will visited Incredible Edible, Eco Kids and a community volunteering programme.

Incredible Edible Todmorden was set up two years ago and aims to increase the amount of local food grown and eaten in the town. Businesses, schools, farmers and the community are all involved. Vegetables and fruit are springing up everywhere and public flower beds are being transformed into community herb gardens and vegetable patches.

Business in the Community is also using the opportunity to promote one of its highly regarded volunteer programme by getting locally based companies like Marshall’s to help further Incredible Edible’s aims, by sprucing and priming sites ready for planting seasonal fruit and veg.  Another extremely popular volunteer programme with local businesses is Eco Kids.  Here, sustainability messages such as waste management, energy efficiency and growing your own foods, and other such issues are tackled.  Volunteers creatively communicate with children the impact they can make on changing attitudes by telling others about what they’ve learned.  And how can have a positive effect on the world in which we live.

His Royal Highness explained: “With START, our objective is to demonstrate an inspiring picture of a sustainable future. Through clear, positive advice and support, and by highlighting the very best examples of sustainable practice in Britain, START aims to help make the shift towards more sustainable living as straightforward as possible. 

 “The Incredible Edible Todmorden” initiative is inspiring. I am thrilled that the START tour has highlighted it as a shining example of how individuals in communities can support one another to live more sustainable lives. I am delighted with the response of local businesses who have joined me on a Seeing is Believing exercise during my visit to see how they could replicate these kinds of innovative projects elsewhere.”

 Liz Needleman, BITC’s Yorkshire and Humber Regional Director, said: “Business in the Community’s expertise lies in helping the corporate sector to find the best way of working with local communities for the benefit of people and planet. We’re delighted we are hosting this visit by our President, The Prince of Wales, to encourage and celebrate local Start initiatives. This is a continuation of BITC’s work in convening and fostering sustainable community partnerships and campaigns.”

Mary Clear, the co-founder of Incredible Edible Todmorden, said: “Incredible Edible is thrilled His Royal Highness came to see the amazing work being done in Todmorden.  When people and communities like ours come together and work together amazing things happen, as they have done here under our very noses. 

“We’re astounded by the support and hard work this community has put in to help make us sustainable. The Start project is a great venture and if a more people start to protect our planet and create a kinder world, what a massive difference that will make to us all.”  

Business in the Community also organised a ‘Seeing is Believing’ tour alongside the Royal visit.  12 senior business and community leaders from Yorkshire and Humber, saw for themselves the exemplary work being done by Incredible Edible and BITC, and how sustainable projects can be developed and replicated by their businesses and organisations.