Sir David Attenborough has praised a Gloucestershire entrepreneur on the publication of her new children’s book about the environment.
Away written by Dani Seatter – a former early years teacher and founder of Gloucestershire-based green business Eco Able – has a green theme at its heart and has been sustainably produced by local businesses.
After sending a copy to Attenborough, the television super star, who has become a leading voice in raising awareness of the impact of man on planet earth, has wished her every success.
‘I sent him the book thinking if anyone is interested in and represents looking after the environment it is him, and I didn’t really expect to get anything back. He is so busy, after all,’ said Seatter.
‘But he did write back – a hand-written note, within a couple of days as well, thanking me for sending the book and wishing me every success with it. I was so surprised and thrilled.’
The illustrated book tells the story of a group of animals who discover something in their woodland home and is centred around the idea that there is ‘no ‘magical’ place for our waste to disappear to’.
Seatter worked with local businesses Culpepper & Co in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Printers to ensure the book itself was as sustainable as possible, being printed with eco-friendly inks on 100 per cent recycled paper and bound with vegan glue. It has also been certified as carbon balanced by the World Land Trust.
The illustrations were done by Cotswolds-based artist Anna Stead of Thistle Moon.
Away began as a pre-pandemic project for Seatter, alongside her business idea for an eco-friendly shop. She went on to launch Eco Able – one-stop-shop for environmentally friendly items, spanning pet products, toiletries and children’s clothes to cleaning products and corporate gifts – at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
The business began online before opening as a physical shop in Cirencester in May 2022, both of which are exceeding expectations.
Eco Able’s turnover was up 110 per cent on the first year and expected to grow 120-plus per cent in 2022 and similarly in 2023, with Seatter hoping to take on two members of staff.
Away is available in hardback and paperback from the Eco Able store in Cirencester and online.
