Fishers Solicitors swapped their offices for the open air as they showed their green-fingered side as part of an Ashby Rotary Club initiative.

A group of employees from the Ivanhoe Office Park law firm helped out in Ashby's South Street and got to work clearing the Rotary Garden next to the car park.

The initial work was done last month and proved a success.

Now further work will be done during July.

The group tackled the garden in South Street. Photos: Fishers

Ashby Rotary also wants to get other businesses involved in the scheme and help with future gardening work.

Malcolm Davies, Ashby Rotary Club President, told Ashby Nub News: "We have three gardens, South Street is one of them, another is in Church and another is by the fire station.

"What's happening is we're working with companies and trying to get them involved.

"One of the people at Fishers is a member of the Rotary Club, so he volunteered a group of people from the company.

"But now we want to find more companies with a concept of partnering.

"For example, if Fishers continue to work with us, then the company is mentioned along side Rotary at the garden.

"This way, the businesses get something out of it, and so does Rotary as we're badging with them."

The Rotary Club works on Ashby de la Zouch Town Council land and works with them to maintain it.

Malcolm added: "We ask people to clear up the ground at the gardens. That's the idea, we can get a lot done in an afternoon.

"The council could maintain it, but the alternative is to get people involved.

"Fishers came along with enthusiasm, they did a great job."

The scheme means that Fishers allow employees to take a half day off to contribute to the community.

Enel Ots, a licensed conveyancer with Fishers' residential property department, said it is important to give something back to the town.

She said: "We had a lovely weather and it was nice to get into the sunshine.

"Ashby's a great community and we're getting involved in that which can only be a good thing.

"So it's a chance to get out there and take some control of our surroundings.

"We can do it ourselves, we all want to live in a nice place so let's set an example.

"You hear of community gardens in London where people grow things for each other.

"Why can't we have that in the counties as well?

"Let's be a bit more charitable with each other. It's an incentive for people to love where they live.

"As a firm, we also get our children involved in things like litter picking.

"You're in a workplace, but we're getting involved in other things as well.

"There's more to work than sitting at our desks."

Here is how it looked after the Fishers empoyees' afternoon's work

Marketing Manager, Chloe Ordish, added: "We have a volunteer initiative which allows us time off to help in the community.

"We make use of this time off to help out, but I love gardening anyway. We wanted to take over the South Street garden."

The Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch is now 75 years old and is the oldest of the three Rotary clubs in the town.

The club has 30 members additionally, Fishers Solicitors have Corporate membership of the club.

Malcolm added: "One of the goals in the coming Rotary year July 2022/ 2023 is to further develop Corporate Social Responsibility with groups, organisations, companies and members of the public.

"The concept of CSR is not new: Covid has inevitably caused a radical rethink by many businesses and our club.

"Engaging the business community through Rotary co-ordinated CSR offers real local benefit such as, improving the environment, improving the lives of local people and delivers considerable team benefits for the businesses who get involved.

"The Rotary club is always looking for the opportunity to work and develop relationships within the community."

"In addition, Phoenix Children's Foundation located in Packington agreed to refurbish the benches at the South Street garden."

"We look forward to working with all businesses who share our vision of a better Ashby."

• If you want to know more! Contact President Malcolm Davies or Vice President Paul Cook via [email protected].