‘Looking to raise £5k to continue serving the community’

IN NOVEMBER 2000, Paul and I moved from London into Pickwood Hall, Leek, soon joined by our lovingly-remembered black Labrador, ‘Rommel,’ and to complete our family, our son in July 2003.

It took a while to settle in and then to realise we were also the guardians of a forgotten 10-acre wood.

Gratefully, with much kind help over recent years, it has been totally transformed into a wonderland of various groups and activities.

We have never charged our guests, simply welcomed all in: Inside

Out Forest Schools, Leek College, The Meadows Special Needs

School, Dofe Award Programme, Help for Heroes, Leek & Police Cadets, Leek Probation Service, Cheddleton Orienteering Club,

Tom Moss Bee Apiary, Rachel

Evans Willow Planting & Basket Weaving, Ladydale Owl & Bird Box Workshops, Porters’ Pig Rehoming Project, Yoga Retreats and Camp Outs - even a TV film crew.

Hence, what has become a magical corner of Leek continues to thrive and benefit our local community and beyond.

This summer our focus is to enhance all facilities currently enjoyed – by reinstating the former pond for wetland studies and creating a woodland classroom structures at three camps, with themed equipment.

Undoubtedly, our greatest challenge is to create wheelchair access to ‘Base Camp’ – a levelled vehiclular track off the lower driveway, across the pond dam head rising into the wood.

Our bold target is to raise £5,000. We shall be arranging open days for our contributors to visit and lend their ideas and support to these key projects and more.

We wholeheartedly welcome every donation and thank you all for your most valued support.

Sharon Chauveau, Pickwood

Forest Community Trust