Volunteers celebrate ownership of meadows
Rodborough Fields Preservation GroupA community group has celebrated after taking ownership of a meadow and woodland in Gloucestershire.
Rodborough Fields, which borders the River Frome in Rodborough, near Stroud, was put up for sale in 2025 and is now under community ownership following a public campaign to protect it from development.
While celebrating taking ownership of the site, the Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group has also launched a call for further donations to support ongoing care of the fields.
John Bloxsom, chair of the group, said: "Taking ownership of the site is just the first step and we are today launching a renewed call for donations to help us fund the long term care of the site."
After the site came up for sale last year, the group launched a campaign to buy it which received pledges from people in Rodborough, Stroud and around the world.
Bloxsom said the group hoped to maintain and improve the biodiversity of the area.
The site transferred into the group's ownership on 4 March.
To celebrate, local morris group Boss Morris has been hosting a spring folk celebration at the site since 11:00 BST.
Bloxsom added: "We are grateful to everyone who has supported our campaign, including more than 400 donors and lenders.
"We are looking forward to a positive future of managed community ownership for the site. "
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