'The Staveley community are the heroes here. Local people, plus friends and supporters from much further afield, donated to buy the woodland and keep it in public ownership.'
Ann Salisbury, Staveley Parish Councillor
and Chair of Craggy Wood Steering Group
In 2017, a group of Staveley residents and friends mobilised to save Craggy Wood from being sold into private ownership after the Lake District National Park authority put it up for sale. From quizzes to dropping leaflets door-to-door and TV appearances, they did everything they could to raise the money needed to secure this ancient wood's future.
A Craggy Wood Steering Group formed and, through the Parish Council, was able to have Craggy Wood designated as an Asset of Community Value with South Lakeland District Council before it went on the market, giving residents the first opportunity to buy it.
An amazing £120,000 was raised to purchase the wood, via donations from the public and from the Banister Charitable Trust. Cumbria Wildlife Trust then took ownership of the wood, to manage it for the benefit of wildlife.
In 2019, we appointed a Staveley Woodlands Officer, Danielle Chalmers, to manage and develop a Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve, encompassing both Craggy Wood and the nearby Dorothy Farrer’s Spring Wood.
She's worked with the local community to grow trees that will be planted on land that links the two areas, creating a fantastic wildlife corridor. The trees, and the actions of Staveley friends and residents, will leave an indelible mark on the landscape for years to come. If you'd like to sponsor a tree at Staveley, click the link below.
Sponsor a Tree at Staveley Woodlands
Donate to help Staveley Woodlands thrive