Help extend Shining Cliff Woods!

by Kate Tuck (Shining Cliff hostel) in Belper, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

Total raised £9,410

 
Gift Aid
+ est. £1447.75
£20,000 target 23 days left
47% 163 supporters
This project will only be funded if at least £20,000 is pledged by 7th December 2024 at 3:00pm

To purchase & protect farmland adjacent to Shining Cliff Woodland & create a space for community groups to run nature-based activities.

by Kate Tuck (Shining Cliff hostel) in Belper, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

1730100677_plots_available.jpgOur Project

Several plots of land adjoining Shining Cliff woods are being auctioned on the 18th November 2024. We would like to buy one or more of the plots so that we can increase the footprint of Shining Cliff woodland, which is the largest area of SSSI ancient woodland in Derbyshire. 

Grith Pioneers, the charity who have cared for 100 acres of Shining Cliff woods since the 1930's, already have some pledges from within the charity membership, but on their own they won’t be enough. We are looking for additional funds to help us to succeed in securing one or more of these plots, and we need to raise it before November 18th!

We plan to create a mosaic of habitats to support wildlife and flora and provide access for community groups to participate in nature based activities. 

A unique opportunity for nature and community:

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to extend the woodland. Shining Cliff Woods is a special place, loved by local people and visitors from further afield alike. Many locals recall staying at the hostel during their school days, and children attending Wildlings pre-school spend their days playing and exploring in the woods. Local people are encouraged to come and attend woodland sessions to support wellbeing, through activities offered by local organisations such as Woodland Connections at Shining Cliff. 

People young and old from across the region and further afield feel a deep connection with the woods through camping with Fly Sheet and Forest School Camps.

Please help us to increase what we offer to the local community and at the same time benefit the natural environment by purchasing this land.

What will happen to your donation:

Your donation will go entirely towards the purchase cost of the land. It is anticipated that the guide price of the plots will be exceeded as there is a lot of interest.

If successful and there are surplus donations after the purchase cost and auction fees, the remaining funds will be used solely on any expenditure required to create a mosaic of habitats and create a parking area that enables access but has a minimal impact on the landscape. 

If we are unsuccessful in buying the land, your donation will be returned.

Who is involved in this project?

The Grith Pioneers, a non-profit-making organisation who have owned Shining Cliff Woods since 1932. Their aims are to conserve and protect the land so that the public can learn about and enjoy nature through camps and outdoor activities. The Grith Pioneers would own the land.

Wildlings, which is a pre-school nursery offering outdoor sessions at Shining Cliff woodland by  agreement with The Grith Pioneers.

Shining Cliff Centre Community Interest Company, a non-profit company that runs Shining Cliff hostel in the woodland, Woodland Connections at Shining Cliff woods (a collaboration of self-employed individuals and Shining Cliff Centre CIC) that offers wellbeing sessions for all ages in the woods

 Local People residents  who are keen to see the land being safeguarded for future generations. 

Find out more about these organisations below.

The land (Netherpark Farm Jackass Lane, Alderwasley, Belper) is being advertised by Bagshaws, where you can find more details.

You will see that it is being sold in separate lots, emphasising the good commuter links. How brilliant would it be, to see some of this land dedicated to nature and encouraging people to enjoy and learn about it? Help us to purchase it at the auction on November 18th.

Please donate now, and share this crowdfunder with your friends!

More about the organisations involved

Grith Pioneers: In 1932, Grith Fyrd, a non-profit making organisation was set up to help unemployed men, acquired 100 acres of Shining Cliff woods from the Hurt family. The woods became home to a small community of men, where educational and practical activities supported self-sufficient living. In 1939, with the threat of war, unemployment fell and the community dwindled. 

Some of the Grith Fyrd founders set up a small residential school in the abandoned buildings. The school flourished, taking evacuated children and a small number of refugees. Outdoor activities were also organised for local children, many of whom had never had a holiday. 

From 1946 the buildings were leased to the Youth Hostels Association, and for 50 years, their members enjoyed the remote, woodland location of the hostel. Since 2009 the woodland hostel has been run as an independent hostel. 

The 100 acres of woodland owned by Grith Pioneers (formerly Grith Fyrd) has been managed  to provide a place for outdoor activities, especially for young people's organisations. 

Grith Pioneers work to conserve and maintain the woods by, for example, gradually removing non-native trees such as sycamore and rhododendron, to allow native flora, like Oak, Holly, Hazel and Bluebells, to flourish, leaving a beautiful space for nature to thrive. 

The conservation work is carried out through regular work parties by Grith Pioneer members and a fortnightly volunteer group managed by the hostel. 

Wildlings: Wildlings is a pre-school nursery based in Ambergate who offer outdoor sessions at Shining Cliff woodland. We are privileged to have an agreement with The Grith Pioneers, who own and protect this magical place, to use the woods for our sessions three days a week.  These sessions connect children back to nature, inspiring them to build resilience, confidence, independence and self-motivation- the skills they need for life.

In line with our ethos, we follow the children’s lead, and run with their ideas, just as we do in the hall. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum by exploring and developing learning opportunities inspired by the natural outdoor environment. We teach children to use tools in a purposeful way with appropriate supervision and health and safety measures. Sometimes we may build a fire to cook on and prepare our snacks, with the children's assistance.

We love being in the woods for full days because of the resilience our children develop. They build the strength to not only keep trying but also the skills to support each other to succeed. The weather can bring some challenges, it isn't always sunny, however, a rainy day is a wonderful resource and brings us wonderful puddles!

This project is also being supported by Shining Cliff Centre CIC, a non-profit company that runs Shining Cliff hostel in the woodland, Woodland Connections at Shining Cliff woods (a collaboration of self-employed individuals and Shining Cliff Centre CIC) that offers wellbeing sessions for all ages in the woods, and local residents who are keen to see the land being safeguarded for future generations. 

 

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