This is our latest email sent to subscribers to our mailing list. Sign up here if you want to receive updates like this from us in future!
Hello!
It's still very early days with our project to investigate the community purchase of Goit Stock Wood. There's a long way to go before we know whether it will become a reality - but things are moving! Here's an update on what's been happening.
Over 50 local residents attended our first public meeting on 14 January, which was incredible! If you couldn't make it, you can read the full notes from the meeting on our website.
After the public meeting, a few people came forward to say they'd be willing to help organise the project. This core project team met on 6 February to discuss our initial thoughts. There were a mixture of comments including some positive ones about the exciting opportunity and some concerns about potential risks and things we'll definitely need to consider in detail before committing. We will certainly have a big task ahead and this is all part of the process!
Our next steps will include:
Establishing a clear vision for the project
Setting up an official organization (likely to be a Community Interest Company at first, but possibly converting to a Charity later so we can benefit from Gift Aid)
Publicise the project and engage local media, community groups etc. as well as updating our website
Consider the practical details, review the risks, identify funding sources and so on - and then decide whether we want to proceed with the purchase!
It is not too late if you would be interested to join the project team, please Contact us.
It's clear that as part of the project we will need people with some special skills to help us at various points. Right now, it looks like we could use help from anyone with media/PR/communications experience, fundraising experience, and legal/conveyancing professionals. If you know anyone, or perhaps any local business, with specialisms in these areas who you think might be willing to help us, please get in touch.
Our website at https://www.goitstock.org.uk/ is regularly being updated with news and information (and some pretty pictures of the wood!), so if you want to know more about what's going on, check it out. We aim to be transparent and will add meeting notes and relevant documents on the website wherever possible.
We now have a proper mailing list, which puts you in complete control, as you can sign up or unsubscribe at any time (see the link at the bottom of this email if you want to unsubscribe). Anyone who wants to sign up can do so on our website.
That's all for now!
Tom & Amy