Howarth & Jepson – Fine Furnishers
Lancashire based company Howarth and Jepson, fine furnishers of Clitheroe, have launched their own unique Environmental Charter.
Jeremy and Maggie Howarth (directors of Howarth and Jepson) have joined a growing body of people concerned with the welfare of our diminishing resource – wood! By launching this Charter, which takes the form of a cash donation quating to 1% of the company’s annual sales revenue and showroom space for prototype and finished products created from local wood, they hope to succeed in closing the circle from raw material to customer and thus fulfil Woodland Heritage’s underlying charitable theme of ‘uniting the tree grower with the wood user.’
Woodland Heritage, which was established in 1993 by Peter Goodwin of furniture manufacturers Titchmarsh and Goodwin – and Lewis Scott, first came to Jeremy’s attention 8 years ago, through his contact with them in the trade. “I had an immediate affinity with this company and what it was trying to achieve. The good work that they do and their commitment to help sustain a growing legacy for future generations is to be commended. They have done much to educate the industry, customers and consumers with regards to sustainable woodland management and its end use,” said Jeremy.
Philip Johnson, Jeremy Howarth, Andrew Berry and David Brackley.
Therefore, it will probably come as no surprise to learn that this registered charity will become one of the benefactors of the Howarth and Jepson woodland Environmental Charter. And, as a mark of mutual respect to Jeremy and others in the Lancashire area and what they are trying to achieve, Philip Johnson, from Titchmarsh and Goodwin (and thus Woodland Heritage), was on hand to receive a copy of the charter and pledge the charity’s on-going support for its future aims.
Others in attendance, who also received a copy of the charter, were Andrew Berry of H.J. Berry and Sons Ltd of Chipping and David Brackley of Lancashire Woodlands Projects, both of whom have been instrumental in many local woodland initiatives.
The Environmental Charter, created by Jeremy and Maggie Howarth, will go a long way to ensuring that these prototype products created by Berry’s of Chipping, in conjunction with the Lancashire Woodlands Projects, are given maximum public exposure within their showrooms, based on Pendle Road, Clitheroe.
As for the financial part of this Charter, it will be dedicated to woodland replanting projects and the training of arboriculturalists, which, once again, forms a major part of Woodland Heritage’s work. With their commitment to this cause, now so firmly in place, Jeremy and Maggie Howarth can, unreservedly say that they are basing the company’s ethical and environmental stance on Woodland Heritage’s motto, that of ‘Action not Words.’
Harry Stebbing – Furniture Maker
Harry inspects "1+1" East Anglian oak plants which have been reserved for him.
Harry hands over another cheque to Woodland Heritage co-founder, Peter Goodwin.
This small Norfolk company prides itself on its attention to detail and a determination to do as little harm to the environment as is possible.
Taking extraordinary care to use renewable organic oil for finishing their garden furniture and ensuring that their notice boards have internally boarded granular rubberised sheet material (made from re-cycled trainers!) are just some examples.
English Oak is their main timber which they source with much care from local estates where replanting and aftercare are second nature. But this was still not enough for Harry and Pam Stebbing. They approached Woodland Heritage to specifically plant one oak tree for every item of furniture which is sold.
“I can count on Woodland Heritage to carry out our wishes properly. Their attention to detail mirrors our own and we are happy to make regular donations to this excellent Charity”, said Harry.
Peter Goodwin
"Harry’s generous contributions are out of all proportion to the size of his business"
We have long been dismayed at the apathy of furniture retailers and timber traders – for their unwillingness to “put something back”. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY is now a by-word and I wonder whether consumers will soon withdraw their support from companies who ignore their obligations?
Editor