let’s protect the Heavens Valley forever
SAving the
HEAVENS
VALLEY
donate now to help us buy the Heavens Valley!
The Heavens Valley, nestling on the edge of Stroud, has long been a cherished haven for individuals, families, and friends. It is an open space where everyone can enjoy its meandering stream, beautiful meadows, ancient woodlands and beloved homemade swings. The imminent sale of the land raised serious fears about potential development, loss of these precious natural spaces or new owners restricting community access. In March 2024, the community voted at a packed public meeting to do its best to buy the 102-acre Thrupp Farm, including the iconic Heavens Valley, to safeguard it for future generations.
And we’ve done it! The sale of Thrupp Farm in Stroud to the community is now complete. Solicitors for the seller, the Cullimore family, and the buyer, the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society (HVCBS), exchanged contracts on November 14 and the transaction was completed on Wednesday November 27.
The £850,000 purchase cost (including legal fees) was funded by £300,000 in donations and share sales and by £550,000 in bridging loans from two committed local people.
But now we have the task of raising a further £550,000 to repay the bridging loans as, technically, the lenders will own some of the site until all the repayments have been made; each portion of money repaid will bring more of the land fully into community ownership. We have two years to do this - our lenders are part of the community and want the whole valley to be community owned and managed by the CBS.
Photo credits: Top photo by Martin Phelps
Photo on left by Simon Pickering
How can I help?
By making a donation, or turning your existing pledge into a donation, you can help us save the Heavens Valley
We are now starting the ultimate phase of achieving complete ownership. So if you can continue to contribute or know of any other people who may still want to help, then please direct them to our website where they can donate and buy shares. As we raise additional money and repay the loans over the next two years, more of the remaining land will be transferred to the community, for ever. If you are making a donation - thank you! - please remember to tick the Gift Aid box if you are a UK taxpayer. It means we will receive an extra 25% on top of your donation.
We’re so grateful to every single person and organisation who has donated - and we now have more than 600 shareholders in the Heavens Valley CBS!
If you want a longer-term involvement in The Heavens Valley, please become a shareholder. This costs £50. Click on the 'Become a Shareholder’ button below for more information.
Spread the word – please ask your friends, family, neighbours and everyone you can think of to donate as well.
Join us - email volunteers@heavensvalley.org.uk if you would like be part of our fundraising team, or help in land management, or have an idea that might raise money for us
If you have any questions or queries, please contact us info@heavensvalley.org.uk.
LATEST News
HIstory & heritage
Archaeologist Neil Baker has been running the Heavens Archaeological Research Project (HARP) since 2011, and conducting popular archeology walks in the valley since 2015. Find out more about history and heritage in the Heavens Valley here.