INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The MOTF (Magic Oak Tree Family) began life in 1961, as 'The International Friendship Club' to promote unity between people all across the World, and to promote a better understanding of the environment and all the life around us. In 1968, with the introduction of several core members in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, it was renamed 'The Magic Oak Tree Family' or MOTF.
Pete Perry, Instigator of The MOTF was born in Benfleet, Essex in 1937, and a time when King Edward Vlll was about to abdicate, and Hitler was threatening to take over all of Europe.
​
Amidst all this, he became an environmentalist at The age of Eight, after living in The Highlands of Scotland before WWll, and then experiencing the Blitz in Walthamstow, East London, and then noticing, after the war, that wild plants sprung up quickly on bomb sites, and these were quickly followed by pollinating insects, and then the return of insect and seed-eating birds, and finally, wild animals.
​
From that age, he decided to dedicate himself to bringing peace to the World, and to make people aware of the damage that they are doing to the environment.
​
He studied medicine in the RAF, where he worked in a Sick Quarters as a Senior Medic from 1955 to 1958, and then Botany and horticulture when he became a professional gardener in 1961.
During the 'Great Smog' of 1952, Pete. at the age of Fifteen, told his friends and family that he believed that the pollution was caused by traffic fumes and fumes from industry. Nobody listened to him. It lasted from Friday 5 December to Tuesday 9 December 1952, then dispersed quickly when the weather changed.
​
A series of laws were brought in to avoid a repeat of the situation. This included the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968. These acts banned emissions of black smoke and decreed residents of urban areas and operators of factories must convert to smokeless fuels.
​
People were given time to adapt to the new rules, however, and fogs continued to be smoky for some time after the Act of 1956 was passed.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
However, Pete argued that the pollution was only down to smoke fumes, but also to traffic fumes, which are invisible, and even more dangerous.
People laughed at him, and his friends told him that he was making a laughing stock of himselfd my making such ridiculous suggestions.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
It was not until 1991 that scientists at The Warren Spring Laboratories in Stevenage discovered the presence of Ozone Smog in the atmosphere. This is an invisible pollutant that is produced when traffic fumes react to sunlight.
​
So Pete was finally proved correct, Fifty-Five years later!
​
Coincidentally, Pete moved to Stevenage in 1962, with his first wife, Dorothy.
​
He spoke out again, when the last trolleybus left Walthamstow Garage on 27th April 1960, to be replaced by Routemaster buses.
​
Pete protested that this was a step backwards, as electric trolleybuses were far better for the environment than the diesel-fuelled Routemaster buses.
​
Again, people said that he was an 'alarmist' and a doom-monger, and that what he was saying was utter rubbish.
We now know that electric vehicles are the future of transport, and that diesel and petrol powered vehicles are finally being phased out.
Pete the Environmental Journalist
Pete had, for a long time written letters to the newspapers, but by The Sixties, he went into journalism, writing on Social and environmental issues. These included local newspapers, as well as horticultural and countryside journals...
This is not a Revolution - it is an Evolution
Now, since Pete married Nikki in 2009, Pete has had his two environmental books published, and they launched their 'Green Roof Campaign' trying to encourage Government to take the initiative. However, the UK Government showed no interest, and, guess what? They were ridiculed by many for the idea!
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
So, more recently, The MOTF has taken matters into it's own hands and are promoting green roofing, the greening of tram and Railway lines and even pavements and pathway areas, with the 'GREENING OF BRITAIN' INITIATIVE.
With the permission of the owners or authorities, The MOTF aim to green as much of The UK as possible...
The whole idea is to replace, as much as possible, the green land that was stolen from nature by building houses and other buildings, roads, motorways, pavements and shopping areas.
This is not a commercial project, - it is a Chance for us all to do our bit to reverse Climate Change and save our precious planet.
Please help us by lobbying Central Government and local councils all across the UK.
HELP US RETURN TO NATURE THAT WHICH WE HAVE TAKEN AWAY
​
​
​
​
​
​
Apart from Greening roofs of all types, we also aim to green Tram lines and Railway lines, as well as car parks.... as illustrated below: Green Tramlines in Toulouse, France, and Green Railway tracks in Poland...
We are instigating a global evolution. A re- positioning of humankind back to its rightful place as custodians & stewards of the Earth & not its owners.
Humanity is the beneficiary of a trust, and that trust was established by nature for all life including humankind.
If you wish to be a part of this, either as a beneficiary, benefactor or as a planter and instigator, please contact us at the email address in our 'CONTACT' section
​
Pete Continues to champion his campaign for a better Climate balance, and understanding of wildlife to this day, but has never received the recognition he deserves.
The whole idea of this Green Roof Campaign is to bring in legislation for all new and existing buildings to be fitted with grass or suitable plants on the roof, so that we will, at least, be replacing any natural land taken up for the building, to be returned on top of the building.
Sadly, for all our writing to The Government, and creating publicity on our campaign, all our efforts have, so far, fallen on deaf ears...
​
Here are some videos explaining The balance of gases, and the benefits of green roofs...
​
And when it comes to wildlife, we could follow Sweden's example...
​
This is a proposal from our European neighbours, Sweden, - to build 'road bridges' across roads and motorways, in order for wildlife to safely cross, avoiding the human 'mechanical monsters'. Why can't we follow their excellent example?