Politics news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Locals launch campaign to buy ancient wood
Residents near Stroud are campaigning to buy Ruscombe Wood, a 17-acre ancient woodland, so it can remain accessible to the public and be protected for future generations. The effort matters because the current owners are selling, and community ownership could safeguard its wildlife, habitat and footpaths.
Owners Margaret and David Lloyd have given the Ruscombe Woodlands Committee one year to raise £164,000 for the purchase, legal work and surveys. The group also hopes to run free woodland-care, natural-skills and craft workshops, and possibly a forest school; the owners say the woodland has become too much work for them.
In short
- Villagers have a year to raise £164,000 to buy Ruscombe Wood.
- The owners want the woodland to be loved by the community.
- Plans include protecting wildlife, keeping footpaths open and running workshops.