Stand For The Trees: #ReThinkHS2

More than 100 of the UK's irreplaceable ancient woodlands, and the wildlife they support, such as endangered bats, butterflies and barn owls are facing what could be their last Christmas, as the 100billion+ pound mega project HS2 awaits a decision from our government that could allow their destruction. Annie Lennox (music), Chris Packham (starring) and Emma Thompson (voiceover) have joined forces to contribute to a film aimed at inspiring people to come together in what could be a last chance to Stand For The Trees. Our government needs to know that a green army are amassing who will not let our irreplaceable natural history be destroyed; this is one Christmas ad everyone needs to see. The film, directed by Ornette Spenceley, portrays the relationship of an 8 year old boy and the wood he plays in. On encountering HS2 workers destroying his wood, he takes a decoration, a robin, from the Christmas tree in his home, and places it on the branch of a tree in the wood. A lady with a dog encounters the tree and returns to add her own decoration ... more people do the same ... word spreads and soon a delighted boy returns to find a whole community gathered around a fully decorated ancient tree. The whole community has come together for the trees. Those who see the film will be able to sign a pledge to Stand For The Trees and recruit others to do the same.

The film was shot entirely in Jones Hill Wood, the ancient woodland Roald Dahl based his story 'The Fantastic Mr Fox’ on, which is one of the 108 ancient woodlands set to be destroyed by HS2. The wood is owned by Richard Stewart-Liberty, grandson of the founder of Liberty’s, and the surrounding farmland is owned by the Bunce's, one of the farming families in the book, who try to kill the fox. In a unique twist of fate, the Bunce's now find themselves supporting the campaign to save the wood and all the wildlife it supports. The film supports the #ReThinkHS2 campaign of leading environmental organisations including Client Earth, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, The Ramblers, RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, The woodland Trust and WWF.