Stroud Common Wealth has made a bid on behalf of Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group, for a community buy-out of the fields that border the south bank of the River Frome.
Together, they plan to acquire these valuable, wildlife-rich and uncontaminated fields in the midst of Stroud, so as to secure them for the community in perpetuity.
Max Comfort, a Director of Stroud Common Wealth, said:
“After many years of uncertainty over the future of this precious green “finger” that stretches into the heart of Stroud, we have an opportunity to buy the Fields for the Rodborough and Stroud communities.
In this we will be continuing the work of the late Frank Parry, who for decades farmed the land in an environmentally sensitive way.The land on the opposite side of the River Frome, known as Frome Banks, is owned and managed by Stroud Valleys Project as a Nature Reserve and they are also a keen supporter of the bid.”
More information will be available at the Stroud Farmers’ Market on Saturday 26 April, as Stroud Valleys Project is kindly hosting a stall outside its offices on Threadneedle Street.
As well, there will be a stall at the Rodborough Earth Day on Sunday 27th April.
Said Martin Large, Chair of Stroud Common Wealth,
“Join us in this once in a lifetime chance to secure these beautiful fields for the whole community.”
NOTES:
1. Stroud Common Wealth, a Community Benefit Society, is known locally for its very popular Exchange co-worker space on Brick Row, and its purchase in 2000 of Lansdown Hall which it subsequently sold to Stroud Town Council at no profit. It is bidding for Rodborough Fields on behalf of Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group.
2. Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group launched a ‘Buy Rodborough Fields’ campaign in March 2025, appealing to the public to pledge what they could donate to the campaign. The Group held stalls in Stroud Farmers’ Market on 22 and 29 March and a public meeting at the Prince Albert on Sunday 23 March. The campaign has been supported by Stroud Valleys Project, Rodborough Parish Council and the National Trust.
The group’s initial priorities for Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks are:
- Maintaining and enhancing community access
- Supporting nature recovery, with the pastureland returning to meadows rich in flowers and insects. This is likely to involve conservation grazing with a small herd of cattle
- Ensuring the Frome Banks woods and riverbank are well maintained
- Using the meadows and river banks for education and volunteering
- Exploring options like a community orchard, a spring fed pond and a circular walking route
- Securing grants to enable the land to continue to be managed for the benefit of nature and the local community.
Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group
To help preserve this area of natural beauty, as a green space for wildlife and for the people of Stroud.
Offline donations
We can also receive cheques payable to:
Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group
which can be delivered to the Rodborough Community Hall, Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud GL5 3TZ
Please consider completing a Gift Aid declaration, which can increase the value of your donations by 25% if you are a UK resident taxpayer.
