Wainwright Prize Sponsorship
We are delighted to have secured a three-year headline sponsorship of The Wainwright Prize, a prestigious nature writing prize, named after much-loved writer Alfred Wainwright, a Kendal local famous for his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. Having made fine papers for publishing, premium print, art and luxury packaging since 1845 in the very town where Alfred Wainwright lived and worked, the partnership underpins the shared history and purpose of both organisations.
TELLING YOUR STORY WITH PAPER.
James Cropper specialty papers have long been the choice of leading designers, conservationists, artists, writers and poets. We’ve been making fine papers for publishing and premium packaging since 1845 in the very town where Alfred Wainwright lived and worked.
In fact, in 2005 we produced a custom-made paper, matching the paper from the first editions, for the 50th Anniversary Wainwright pictorial guides that were once again printed in Kendal.
Whilst our location and the natural medium of paper connect us to Wainwright’s wonderful legacy, it is that shared history and mutual respect and celebration of nature and conservation that sit at the heart of our sponsorship of the Wainwright Prize.Richard Bracewell, James Cropper, Marketing Director
Being located amongst the Lake District fells, stewardship of the natural environment is integral to our business operations at James Cropper, as well as to the papers we make. Our actions and commitments are restorative and regenerative, and aligned to the health of the planet today and for future generations.
From crafting beautiful papers from responsible sources to devising innovative ways to turn waste into a resource, we never stop evolving so we can look forward to a smarter future. The fresh fibre we use to make paper is certified to FSC® standards, aiming to protect high carbon ecosystems such as forests and drive biodiversity and forest growth in our supply chain.
As specialists in upcycling fibre, James Cropper created the world’s first recycling process dedicated to upcycling take-away cups. By harnessing the valuable natural fibres in the billions of coffee cups which are thrown away every year in the UK, our CupCycling® facility has closed the loop for what was once an enormous waste stream, giving it new life. We work with world-leading brands, and people across the globe connect with our papers in different ways. They can now buy premium greetings cards from Hallmark, take their purchases home in carrier bags from Burberry and Selfridges, or read books that had a previous life as a coffee cup.
I am thrilled that James Cropper is sponsoring the Wainwright literary prizes this year. Growing up near the paper mill, I have always known the company, and their local knowledge and reputation for sustainability make them an ideal sponsor. I’m sure that Wainwright himself and my mother would have been delighted with the partnership.Jane King, Step-Daughter of Alfred Wainwright
Now in its ninth year, the Wainwright Prize, awards go to the books which most successfully inspire readers to explore the outdoors, and best reflect Wainwright’s core values and includes a celebration of nature and our natural environment, or a warning of the dangers to it across the globe.
The shortlisted titles for the much-loved literary prize showcase a diverse group of writers and celebrate the wonder and awe of green spaces and nature’s creatures through the prism of the authors’ lives.
Throughout society, people are increasingly rediscovering a love of books and spending more time connecting with nature and green spaces. We are delighted to support the authors involved in this year’s Wainwright Prize who are telling their story with paper; writing such wonderful books, and inspiring book lovers of all generations, to connect with the natural world and share an intrinsic attitude towards global conservation.Mark Cropper, James Cropper Plc, Chairman
In 2022 the Prize has been rebranded the James Cropper Wainwright Prize following a multi-year commitment from the papermaker as the headline sponsor. Having made fine papers for publishing, premium print, art and luxury packaging since 1845 in the very town where Alfred Wainwright lived and worked, the partnership underpins the shared history and purpose of the two organisations.
The rebrand news comes as James Cropper continues to create solutions for the publishing sector which leave little to no trace on the planet through its FibreBlend Upcycled Technology. Using its game changing CupCycling facility, the papermaker recently gave new life to 10.5 million paper cups used in McDonald’s restaurants for drinks and soft ice creams, transforming them into children’s books on nature and conservation to replace toys in the chain’s Happy Meals. By extracting the valuable paper fibre from the cups, the partnership created a circular story which converts something which has a single use, into something to treasure, educate and pass on.
The Prize logo and artwork has been rebranded for 2022 with the aim of reflecting the history of the prize, the beauty of nature and the connection between the written word and the natural world.
The 2022 longlist has now been announced, head over to read the press release and the latest on The James Cropper Wainwright Prize here.
James Cropper's long association with Kendal and their strong commitment to innovation in the fields of conservation and sustainability make them the perfect partners for the Wainwright Prize. We look forward this opportunity to celebrate the very best in writing about nature and the environment this year.Richard Green, Group Publisher Frances Lincoln, part of the Quarto Group
