High End

ROLLS-ROYCE STEER IN NEW DIRECTION FOR DORMICE

No strangers to meticulous design and perhaps in light of one of its founders, Sir Henry Royce's famous quotes: "Strive for perfection in everything you do," apprentices at British luxury automobile maker, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, based at Goodwood, West Sussex, have hand-made a series of 'des reses' in the form of hazel dormice nest boxes to put up around their 42 acre site.

One of the UK's most endangered animals, hazel dormice are native to Britain and are now rarely seen. They hibernate between October and April and are nocturnal, but their population has plummeted in recent years, with numbers falling by 52% between 2009 and 2018, mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and hedgerows. Thankfully they're protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or even handle them, but their continued decline is worrying.

Rolls-Royce's new 'high-end' nest box initiative is part of their long-term environmental partnership with the 11,000 Goodwood Estate, who shared their own forestry 'dormice' expertise with the apprentices. They had additional input from the local wildlife trusts, especially with the box design (e.g. suitable entrance size), most favourable locations (e.g. hazel, honeysuckle and ivy) and installation techniques (height and direction). The team selected natural oak for the construction, for its durability and longevity, which still allowed their Rolls-Royce design and construction flair to emerge. Being 'quarter-sawn' they show off the wood's beautiful grain patterns and have created a shimmering iridescent surface effect called 'ray fleck'. The nest boxes are finished with roofing felt for further protection and durability - and branding with the infamous double RR logo.

The Rolls-Royce headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which was opened in 2003, was designed by Grimshaw Architects (whose portfolio includes the Eden project) to merge effortlessly into the countryside. It hosts an eight-acre curved living roof - one of the largest in the UK - which is home to hardy sedum plants which improve the buildings insulation, reduce rainwater runoff and act as an effective camouflage.

Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said,

"Studies have shown that our 42-acre site and the adjoining Goodwood Estate are home to some of Britain's most important mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and plants - all of which we're helping to conserve through our long-term environmental partnership. In this latest initiative ... we're very hopeful that these delightful but highly endangered creatures will soon take up residence in the palatial new accommodation we've provided!"