A new campaign has launched to save a much-loved woodland from private sale and secure it for future generations.
Ruscombe Woods, a 17-acre ancient woodland near Stroud, has been open to the public for more than 20 years thanks to the generosity of its current owners, who now wish to retire and pass the land into community hands.
The Ruscombe Woodlands Committee is working to raise £164,000 to purchase the woods and protect them from potential commercial development that could limit public access.
"If we reach the deadline to buy these woods, I am in.
"By adding your name to our pledge drive today, you stop being a bystander and become a founding guardian of this landscape."
They are seeking non-binding pledges of support, which will help unlock major funding opportunities from grant providers and charitable trusts.
"Every single pledge, no matter the size, proves to funding bodies that Stroud stands behind Ruscombe Woods, helping us unlock matching grants that can double or triple our impact."
The committee’s vision is to bring the woodland under permanent community stewardship, ensuring it remains open and accessible to the public while preserving its natural beauty and biodiversity.
Plans for the site include low-impact management, nature workshops, and educational opportunities for all ages, with a focus on wellbeing and connection.
The campaign follows other successful community-led efforts in the Stroud valleys, including the protection of The Heavens, Boxwoods, Frome Banks, and Rodborough Fields.
The committee said: "Across the Stroud valleys, we have a proud history of stepping up to protect our green spaces.
"Now, it is Ruscombe’s turn, and this is very much a priority for the whole Stroud community."
If successful, the project will safeguard mature beech and ash trees, native wildlife habitats, and long-used permissive footpaths.
While practical volunteering in the woods will begin once legal arrangements are complete, supporters are encouraged to pledge funds or register their willingness to help in the future.
The committee said: "Physical volunteering in the woods itself is a little way off while legal setups complete, but everyone has a role to play right now."
Details on how to submit a pledge, volunteer, or learn more about the project are available at ruscombe-woods.org.uk.
Share