ANIMAL MAGIC
Since the beginning, we’ve been passionate about sustainability. It’s in our DNA.
From the fully recyclable stainless steel we use in our timeless designs to the sustainable measures built into of our state-of-the-art headquarters, the environment has always been front-and-centre of our operation.
Our products, which are still designed in the historic Cotswold silk mill where our founder, Robert Radford Welch, set up his drawing board in 1955, are crafted to stand the test of time.
So confident are we that they’ll last a lifetime that we place a 25-year guarantee on them – timeless pieces to treasure, each one intentionally made to last.
WILD AT HEART
Our commitment to the planet starts in the Cotswolds, in the honey-coloured building stone that’s characterised this bucolic corner of England for millennia.
It extends to our Radford Building, where the wildlife around the site was protected even as construction forged ahead.
Before the machinery moved in, dozens of bird and bat boxes were installed in nearby woodland, to rehome any wildlife disturbed by the building work.
Rainwater harvesting systems, a wetland, and wildflower meadow attract bees, butterflies and other insects. And we take care to use as little man-made energy as possible with a huge solar installation, sensor-controlled LED lighting, a zero waste-to-landfill policy and an all-electric forklift fleet. Our packaging is plastic-free.
HEDGEHOG HEAVEN
Vale Wildlife Hospital was set up by passionate conservationist Caroline Gould in 1984 to treat injured wild and garden birds, foxes, deer and badgers brought to her by members of the public.
Initially based in her family home, she launched a huge fundraising campaign to construct a purpose-built hospital in Beckford.
Today, with an army of volunteers and two charity shops in Evesham and Tewkesbury, it now nurses almost 9,000 patients a year back to health.
Nearly 1,500 of these are hedgehogs, struggling with the effects of urbanisation and climate change. The charity has even launched its own range of hedgehog food to help wildlife-lovers encourage and protect those in their locality.
But this work comes at a price. Funded entirely by donations, the hospital costs more than £2,500 a day to run. Its electricity bill alone is £5,000 a month.
So, when our team told us about the hospital’s work, just seven miles from the Radford, it seemed a natural partnership.
Twice a year, we hold a staff sale, where our team stock up on Robert Welch treasures and all proceeds go to good causes.
Now, thanks to our most recent event, Vale Wildlife is now almost £4,000 better off.
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
Amy Brown, Robert Welch Brand and Campaigns Manager, says the Vale Wildlife Hospital is a cause very close to the hearts of many of the staff.
“Many of our staff live in Gloucestershire and have reached out to Vale Wildlife over the years,” says Amy.
“Lots of us have stories to tell, from orphaned hedgehogs we’ve found in our gardens to injured ducks rushed to the hospital to be nursed back to health by their veterinary team.
“We’ve long admired the incredible work they do, and it’s been a delight to support them with proceeds from our latest staff sale.”
Illustrious patrons of the wildlife charity include Tony Iommi, of Black Sabbath, wildlife filmmaker Simon King, TV presenter Nigel Marven and TV vet Emma Milne.
Natalie Gould is Vale Wildlife’s admin manager.
“We were thrilled to be chosen by the fabulous team at Robert Welch for such a generous donation,” she said.
“Vale Wildlife Hospital receives no Government funding and has running costs of over £75,000 every month. We’re only able to continue to help over 8,000 wildlife casualties every year because of the kindness and generosity of people, so we are so grateful to the team for helping us to help Britain's wildlife.”
“We’re thrilled to have been able to help,” added Amy. “We look forward to seeing the hospital continue to thrive as it protects the wildlife of the Cotswolds.”
OUR STORY
From Robert’s one-man design studio in the 1950s to the global business we are today, discover a story of craftsmanship, sustainability and longevity.
WILD AT HEART
Our commitment to the planet starts in the Cotswolds, in the honey-coloured building stone that’s characterised this bucolic corner of England for millennia.
It extends to our Radford Building, where the wildlife around the site was protected even as construction forged ahead.
Before the machinery moved in, dozens of bird and bat boxes were installed in nearby woodland, to rehome any wildlife disturbed by the building work.
Rainwater harvesting systems, a wetland, and wildflower meadow attract bees, butterflies and other insects. And we take care to use as little man-made energy as possible with a huge solar installation, sensor-controlled LED lighting, a zero waste-to-landfill policy and an all-electric forklift fleet. Our packaging is plastic-free.
HEDGEHOG HEAVEN
Vale Wildlife Hospital was set up by passionate conservationist Caroline Gould in 1984 to treat injured wild and garden birds, foxes, deer and badgers brought to her by members of the public.
Initially based in her family home, she launched a huge fundraising campaign to construct a purpose-built hospital in Beckford.
Today, with an army of volunteers and two charity shops in Evesham and Tewkesbury, it now nurses almost 9,000 patients a year back to health.
Nearly 1,500 of these are hedgehogs, struggling with the effects of urbanisation and climate change. The charity has even launched its own range of hedgehog food to help wildlife-lovers encourage and protect those in their locality.
But this work comes at a price. Funded entirely by donations, the hospital costs more than £2,500 a day to run. Its electricity bill alone is £5,000 a month.
So, when our team told us about the hospital’s work, just seven miles from the Radford, it seemed a natural partnership.
Twice a year, we hold a staff sale, where our team stock up on Robert Welch treasures and all proceeds go to good causes.
Now, thanks to our most recent event, Vale Wildlife is now almost £4,000 better off.
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
Amy Brown, Robert Welch Brand and Campaigns Manager, says the Vale Wildlife Hospital is a cause very close to the hearts of many of the staff.
“Many of our staff live in Gloucestershire and have reached out to Vale Wildlife over the years,” says Amy.
“Lots of us have stories to tell, from orphaned hedgehogs we’ve found in our gardens to injured ducks rushed to the hospital to be nursed back to health by their veterinary team.
“We’ve long admired the incredible work they do, and it’s been a delight to support them with proceeds from our latest staff sale.”
Illustrious patrons of the wildlife charity include Tony Iommi, of Black Sabbath, wildlife filmmaker Simon King, TV presenter Nigel Marven and TV vet Emma Milne.
Natalie Gould is Vale Wildlife’s admin manager.
“We were thrilled to be chosen by the fabulous team at Robert Welch for such a generous donation,” she said.
“Vale Wildlife Hospital receives no Government funding and has running costs of over £75,000 every month. We’re only able to continue to help over 8,000 wildlife casualties every year because of the kindness and generosity of people, so we are so grateful to the team for helping us to help Britain's wildlife.”
“We’re thrilled to have been able to help,” added Amy. “We look forward to seeing the hospital continue to thrive as it protects the wildlife of the Cotswolds.”
OUR STORY
From Robert’s one-man design studio in the 1950s to the global business we are today, discover a story of craftsmanship, sustainability and longevity.