A PUBLIC meeting will take place on Sunday next week to give residents the chance to find out about proposals for the Heavens Valley and to have any questions answered.

This follows the news that the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society (HVCBS) is to buy the valley and the rest of the 102-acre Thrupp Farm from its current owner Moreton Cullimore. 

About the sale, Mr Cullimore said: “This land has been in my family since the 1960s and has enormous personal meaning for us, as I know it has for the wider community.

"Selling to the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society, who were not the highest bidder, continues my family’s philanthropic endeavours in Stroud.

"Part of my decision was to ensure the Cullimore legacy was continued, as well as being assured that the land would be in safe hands.”

The purpose of the meeting is for the HVCBS to outline the latest situation, talk about the proposals for how the land will be managed, and answer questions.

The HVCBS has so far raised £300,000 in pledges from the public, and is borrowing the rest of the £850,000 needed.

These loans have to be repaid in order to bring the land fully into community ownership, so the meeting will also invite people to donate, buy shares, organise fundraising events and volunteer to help in other ways.

Director Karen Thomas said: “We’d love to see as many residents as possible at the meeting so we can share our vision with the community and meet some of the many people who have given us brilliant support so far.”

There will be a licensed bar, with profits going to the campaign.

The meeting will be held at the Trinity Rooms, Field Road, Stroud GL5 2HZ, from 7pm to 9.30pm on Sunday, September 29. 

Entry is by free ticket, so that the organisers know how many people to expect. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heavens-valley-cbs-public-meeting-tickets-1012869488907

For information about the campaign and how to donate, go to www.heavensvalley.org.uk