Media centre

Youth projects officer Martin Evans and community horticulture officer Zanetta Jackson are able to extend their work by basing themselves at the Works' Earles Building, where a large office space has been provided for them.

Martin Evans comments:  "This new office at Lafarge is a real benefit to our work in the Moorlands. Previously we were based outside of the district and spent a large amount of wasted time travelling to and from the area. Being sited in the heart of the Moorlands we can now spend more time working to benefit local wildlife, habitats and the people that live here, at the same time reducing our vehicle mileage.

"The new base also strengthens our partnership with Lafarge, enabling a higher degree of co-operative working, and promoting local biodiversity improvement schemes."

Lafarge's environmental coordinator Alison Shenton adds:  "We have been a corporate supporter of the Trust for many years.  Not only that but we have also worked with them on several practical projects, gaining the benefit of their expertise to expand our drive for biodiversity.  One example was our installation of a bird hide at the lake at our former shale quarry, which is now a haven for all sorts of wildlife.

"We were delighted to broaden our support with this ‘in kind' donation - offering Trust staff the use of a spare office here on site.  They are already finding this outreach base useful, helping with their organisation of many environmental events for the young people in the Moorlands."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete and Gypsum. With 78,000 employees in 78 countries, Lafarge posted sales of Euros 15.8 billion in 2009.  In 2010 and for the sixth year in a row, Lafarge was listed in the "Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World". With the world's leading building materials research facility, Lafarge places innovation at the heart of its priorities, working for sustainable construction and architectural creativity.  Additional information is available on the web site at www.lafarge.com
• Cauldon Works has capacity to make up to one million tonnes of cement a year and distributes it to customers in the Midlands and as far South as the Northern home counties.
• Cauldon Works contributes around £11 million to the local community through, for example, rates and wages, use of local contractors and community donations.
• Lafarge Cement UK is the country's largest cement maker, supplying around 50 per cent of the market.
• The company has six cement works, complemented by a network of depots and terminals around the country.
• Lafarge Cement Cauldon Works is one of only a few local companies to have Gold Membership of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.