A Community Land Trust is a nonprofit, community-based organisation committed to the stewardship and affordability of land, housing and other buildings used for community benefit in perpetuity. CLTs across the country take a variety of forms; usually they have  the aim of meeting local housing need and providing community benefit.However, in Shropshire, the Middle Marches CLT has a distinct purpose: to acquire and manage land of current or potential habitat and wildlife value to ensure nature conservation interest is developed and maintained in perpetuity. Currently the Trust holds four sites. It also works with land managers and organisations for habitat protection and improvement and shares information, advice, skills, expertise and knowledge on nature conservation. Now MMCLT is seeking to purchase and protect a site at White Grit:

Wildflower meadows are one the rarest habitats in the UK. A local community land trust has been offered a rare and exciting opportunity to buy five acres of botanically rich meadow just over the Welsh border, at White Grit, within view of the mighty Corndon Hill. "It's a fantastic site", exclaims the Chair of Middle Marches Community Land Trust, Dr. Richard Keymer. "Across the UK, 97% of these meadows have been lost since the 1930's. We have launched an appeal for £45,000 to ensure that these small fields at White Grit will be there for future generations to enjoy". Large billowing hedgerows enclose the meadows. On a summer's day there is a timeless feel to them as you wander from one room-like space to another, and it is all alive with bees, hoverflies and butterflies amongst the flowers. The site has been looked after by the present owners for 23 years, but they now need to relinquish their ownership, and have kindly offered the meadows to the Trust to purchase.

The White Grit Meadows Appeal launched on Saturday 30 August from 1 to 4pm, at Cordon Marsh Chapel.

Click hereto give money to the appeal.  

Alternatively, donations can be sent by post, to the Middle Marches Community Land Trust, c/o Enterprise House, Bishops Castle SY9 5AQ. Please make cheques out to 'Middle Marches Community Land Trust.

For further information please contact us via email.

You can also read the Guardian newspaper’s recent article on MMCLT here.