Who was Paul?
Paul Bedingfield was a research scientist who dedicated his efforts to alleviating some of the problems besetting 3rd. world communities in our unequal world.
Born and brought up in Surrey, he struggled at his studies until a middle-school teacher ignited an interest in science. That continued throughout secondary school where inspirational teaching at Lingfield Notre Dame school saw him excel academically, develop clear values and friendships. From there he moved on to Bristol University where he studied Bio-chemistry.
Over these years he also took the opportunities offered first by a lively scout group, then through kayaking expeditions with Tandridge Canoe & Kayak club. From these he developed an adventurous spirit and a genuine love & respect for the natural world.
Global Health. Inspired by by his studies in Bristol, Paul went on to research malaria drug development at Leeds University. Following his PhD he joined the team at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Paul took time out from his research to help deliver ACE-Africa’s W.H.O. sanitary health programme in Bungoma, Kenya with Jenna Soame.
Education. They then worked there directly on their own initiative with abandoned street kids, developing their social skills enough for them to attend local schools, finding sponsors to help open the doors.
Food Security. Working with smallholders, he helped set up a venture to grow cane sugar as a cash crop. Agriculturally, all went well – then the global price of sugar collapsed.
On his return to the UK Paul returned to scientific research, firstly with the LSTM, later with Sygnature Discovery. Moving to Italy he joined Fedegari SpA then returned to research, firstly at Milan’s Ospedale San Raffaele, then Axxam SpA with postings in Italy and Germany, working on research assignments for clients in Europe and the USA. In 2020 he re-joined the team at Sygnature in the UK. He occasionally returned to LSTM as a visiting lecturer as well as travelling back to Kenya to review progress on the projects he had initiated.
For a little light exercise Paul enjoyed acoustic guitar, running, triathlons, occasional bike races, was an accomplished white-water kayaker and chess player.
Pilgrimages: When needing some time out to review his direction, he undertook long-distance pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago, the Pilgrim’s Way and the Via Francigena. This is where he met Laura Orlandini, a hospital doctor.
Tragically, while working in Nottingham in 2020, both contracted Covid 19. Exhaustion triggered a vulnerability to psychosis and suddenly he was gone. However, his many friends from around the world have been inspired to carry forward his values.
We all miss his bright, engaging spirit, his curiosity about the world, his deeply genuine concern for others. The initiatives outlined in this website sprung from the example he set us. Thank you, Paul, for your life devoted to service, for your engaging company and for your inspiration. We carry your beacon forward.
Originally established on its own site as www.plant4paul.org, this is now also incorporated into this website:
Let’s reforest our world!
Terra Rescue Eco-Engines: TREEs for short. The future of our lovely planet depends on trees. Tall trees, bushy trees. Strong trees, pretty trees. Fruit and Nut trees. Just lots of trees. Everywhere
Why we are here: Plant4Paul was set up by the friends of Paul Bedingfield. He had a passionate concern for the natural world. We aim to chronicle and celebrate getting trees planted everywhere, on every continent.
Join us!
Your tree can have its very own web page. Plant a sapling, nurture a nut. Send a picture of your tree to petersbed@aol.com . Tell us what type of tree it is, your pet name for it. If you’d like us to include it on our map, send us it’s geo-coordinates (Google Maps will help!) or ///What3Words to pinpoint where it is. Tell us your story behind it.
Your very own eco-engine! You can send in updates as it thrives and grows, captures carbon, releases oxygen, shelters and nurtures wildlife, shades us from the hot sun, shelters us from the wind and rain, colours our world with blossom, perfumes the breeze, holds water, enriches the soil, enriches your life.
The Trees The Planters
- Cheeky Cherry – Peter & Sonia Bedingfield
- Cheltenham Cherry-James, Katy, Evan, Mazz & Lucas Baker
- Downy Birch – Adam Nodwell
- Jerry the Cherry – Dormansland School
- Paddlers’ Apple – Tandridge Canoe & Kayak Club
- Paul the Nutter – Claire Thorp
- Paul’s Pear Tree – Dom Carver
- Paul’s Profusion – Alan & Chitra Chen-Carver
- Paul’s Scarlet – Jo Edwards
- Pear Tree for ‘Pauly Pants‘-Jenna, Joe, Sonia, Alex and Olli
- Prickly Customer -Wendy & David Brocklehurst
- Sweet Chestnut – Mike & Jo Powell
- Wisdom Walnut – Lingfield College
- – – Nick, Hannah,Charlotte,Tom & Ben Heard
- – – Jonnie Powell
- – – Keith Pell
- Elgon Teak – Benjamin Makhanu
- Marco’s Maple – Marco Ruggeri
- Paul’s Plantation– Golphat Wanyonyi
- Piccola Arancia – Paul & Laura
- Prawn E4 – Gaith Aljayyoussi
- Red Emperor Maple-Paul & Jade Taylor, Eva & Lola
We can be/ Be and be better/ For he existed
Possiamo essere/ Essere ed essere migliori/ Perché lui è esistito
Tunaweza kuwa/ Kuwa na kuwa bora/ Kwa kuwa alikuwepo
from “When Great Trees Fall” – Maya Angelou
