We are pleased to announce that the community purchase of Lot 1 Rodborough Fields has now been completed. We have been heartened by the support for the campaign to secure the future of land above the River Frome. Thank you everyone!
We are also delighted to share that Boss Morris have agreed to help us mark this change by bringing their “Finger in the Spring” seasonal celebration to Rodborough Fields on Saturday 18 April.
Local residents are warmly invited to mark the community ownership of the site when local morris dancers Boss Morris bring their spring ritual ‘Finger in the Spring’ to Rodborough Fields. This traditionally takes place at the spring in Kingscourt but has relocated for 2026, to celebrate the spring which feeds Rodborough Fields.
Participants should meet at Wallbridge Green (by the canal) 11am on Saturday 18 April for a procession through the fields to the spring, and onward to the Prince Albert on Rodborough Hill.
As owners of the land we will now start fixing the fencing and gates, arranging for urgent tree work to be done, carry out further work on the management plan to preserve this treasured local site, maintain and improve biodiversity and to provide educational opportunities. We are looking forward to a positive future of managed community ownership for the land.
The agent has confirmed that Lot 2 has not been sold – this is the land above the Capel Mills viaduct which is protected from development as part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We have made no secret of that in the longer term bringing together Lot 1 and Lot 2 into managed community ownership would be positive for the community and the natural environment. We will continue to engage with the owners and the agent towards that end.
For now, we have cause to celebrate the preservation of the part of the fields that has been most threatened by development for many years. We are grateful to everyone who has supported the campaign, including more than 400 donors and lenders, as well as Stroud Common Wealth and the Laura Kinsella Foundation who have been so amazing in their support for our efforts.
We continue to need your financial support to carry out the urgent work, make the field secure, fulfil our responsibility for ongoing care of the fields, and meet our obligations to lenders who helped with loans in order to deliver the purchase. As a registered charity you can support us with confidence and know that every penny will be well spent.
We know that Rodborough Fields are a fine example of the species-rich limestone grassland which makes this part of the Cotswolds so special. Over the last 50 years or so the fields have been grazed there without the use of artificial fertilisers or pesticides, and the fields have become a key wildlife site attracting butterflies, insects and birds.
We will carry out an assessment of what we have now and how to improve the 9.42 acres of grassland, woodland and river bank that we now own. Our supporters, the wider community, environment groups and neighbouring projects will be consulted on those plans. We will look to align these with those for the Frome Banks Nature Reserve and Wallbridge Fields.
You have received this message as someone who has donated towards the campaign or asked to be kept in touch. We will launch a membership scheme ahead of an Annual General Meeting to be held later in the year. Our members will receive reports and accounts, make key decisions, scrutinise the trustees and elect new ones.
Donations can be made via the Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group website, on https://rodboroughfields.org.uk or by sending cheques to us.
Our postal address is;
Rodborough Community Hall,
Butterow West,
Stroud,
GL5 3TZ
and we are very grateful to Rodborough Parish Council for their help and support.
