Forgive me. This is my mind remember. It’s just for the last 6 months, a span that has seen blue skies and searing temperatures metamorphose into perpetual fog, rain and cold, White Grit has been the focus of everyone’s attention at MMCLT. So this announcement is a cause for great celebration, the culmination of months of hard work and dedication from both the team and those associated with them.
White Grit is undoubtedly a unique place, worthy of this attention. Steeped in atmosphere, its history and presence are felt both by the people who visit and those who are lucky enough to live there. A former old mining village, just over the border into Wales, the 5 acres of meadow which interest us, clothe the lower reaches of Corndon Hill, that impressive hulk that looms over the A488 and can be seen for miles around. Designated a SSSI, the meadows’ ancient pastures, so thoughtfully managed by owners Grace and Ken for the last 23 years, are home to a plethora of wild flower species, of such botanical interest and variety, that they have been assigned to the highest category of importance – red, to which only 5% of meadows belong.
Our appeal page describes how, ‘On a summer’s day, the site has a timeless feel about it as you wander from one small room-like field to another, all alive with bees, hoverflies and butterflies. Large, billowing hedgerows edge the fields.’
Sadly, I am yet to witness such a bucolic scene as this, as to date, all my visits have been sabotaged by torrential rain. It was a day like this, that our White Grit Appeal launch event took place. Imagine – a solemn, overcast august afternoon, a menacing, black Corndon Hill framing the iconic tin clad Corndon Marsh Chapel but within – hope – a warm glow and the hustle and bustle of people, fired up and curious, excited to discover what this was all about.
With expert speakers, cake (lots of it) and lively conversation and discussion, the launch event set the stage perfectly for the appeal. But the standout star of the show was undoubtedly local painter Tommy Davies. Born and raised on a farm near Bishop’s Castle and recently returned to his homeland after decades living in California, he stood at the front of the chapel, like a fervent preacher at the pulpit, his enthusiasm and passion for nature conservation and the area, palpable. It was precisely what was needed to communicate the cause to the congregation and thus get the donation ball rolling. No one was more surprised than him when a gentleman offered £1000 to buy one of the paintings he had brought along to display. And no one was more surprised than me when he then donated the entire amount to the appeal. Such is the heart of the man. We need more Tommys.
If that was the high point, the low point was definitely the miserable trudge from the chapel to the White Grit meadows to view them in their ‘summer prime,’ just as the heavens opened and the people optimistically wearing shorts were caught out. But nobody grumbled. How could you, in the face of such an inspiring place?
And so it began. The quest to raise the money. A programme of fundraising events were planned, driven by the indomitable Janet Cobb. The recently formed Marches Artists for Nature, then decided to pick up the mantle, producing a fund raising calendar of their work with all proceeds donated to the appeal.
Somehow, I found myself in a movie moment – think ’Your mission if you choose to accept it.’
Iolo Williams, revered natural history presenter and tv personality was giving a talk for Mainstone WI in Bishop’s Castle. As someone living quite close to White Grit, he was an obvious ambassador for the appeal, and my challenge was to get him to promote it on stage in front of several hundred people….
To be honest, it was very nearly mission impossible. He flatly refused when I asked him, which made me both audacious and indignant. Without drawing breath I proceeded to reel off a list of reasons he should not only be supporting it but promoting it. At which point, a grin broke out on his face and he said ‘get your phone out and I’ll do a video for you now. (Strong welsh accent). You can use that as an endorsement!!’ Hurrah! Mission accomplished!
Less than 24 hours later, I found myself, with the board members, back at White Grit, meeting yet another high profile figure – local MP for Montgomeryshire, Steve Witherden, together with his head of Communications, Bobbie Crosby.
Steve’s PA had been the first to respond to the appeal mail out, calling me as soon as the email hit his inbox. It transpired Steve was passionate about meadows and nature and desperately keen to visit the site. Sadly, it was yet another day of frankly foul weather, but it made no difference to him. I watched incredulously as he (an MP remember) cheerfully wandered through the long wet grass and muddy, wet hollows of the meadows, without waterproofs or wellies, his only concession to the inclement conditions, suit trousers tucked into his socks. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Rishi Sunak’s famous drenching outside Downing Street, when he announced the 2024 General Election!
Steve’s enthusiasm remained undamped, and he marvelled, child like, at the fungus, berries, late flying insects and occasional frog he came across. He was equally thrilled that the meadows hadn’t been cut and he could still see the purple orbs of devil’s bit scabious, dancing in the breeze. It was both delightful to behold and encouraging. Here was someone in the higher echelons of politics, who understood what we were doing and supported it.
October was a busy month, starting with a 3 day art exhibition, by Marches Artists For Nature, showcasing the original pieces featured in the fundraising calendar. Held at The Stars in Bishops Castle, it served the purpose of both promoting the appeal and raising money for it, with the opening day seeing nearly 200 visitors! Despite what I now call ‘White Grit Weather’ the heavy rain and flood warnings didn’t appear to affect the attendance which was good over all 3 days.
Meanwhile, in nearby Priest Weston, the celebrated and much published local wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek Peters gave a talk on ‘Beauty from the Borderlands’ for the local White Grit community, while at the end of the month, Marches Artists for Nature again offered their work for sale at the Caring for God’s Acre conference at Norbury Village Hall. The coffers were filling.
The final fundraising event of the year was a talk held in Church Stretton on The Art of Farming by local art historian Tom Parsons and supported by a winter art fair featuring MAFN and guest artists. Now believe me, the rain on this dark evening in December was nothing short of biblical, the A49 started to flood and there was a genuine concern whether anyone would turn up. But turn up they did and after enjoying a whistle stop tour of some famous farming paintings (including naturally Constable’s Haywain), were treated to pie and pudding and a chance to buy their Christmas gifts at the fair, thus bringing the year to a satisfactory conclusion.
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By the start of 2026, MAFN had hit their own personal goal – selling out of their fund raising calendars, bringing in several thousand pounds for the appeal – a fantastic achievement! However, the deadline of 31st December had passed and we found ourselves still a few thousand short of the £45,000 target.  What to do? We decided to put out one final email to our subscribers, requesting any last minute donations. Thankfully, there was no sign of White Grit fatigue and we received an astonishing response! With a significant contribution from Gift Aid, we passed the finish line to a resounding roar from everyone who had been involved!
And so, the White Grit wheels have been set in motion! For now, we quietly wait out the winter, while the sale goes through.  But behind the scenes, you can rest assured that somewhere, warm and dry, a few people will be squirrelling away, planning exciting things for our latest acquisition, come spring.
Please subscribe by emailing info@middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk to hear about future events at White Grit, our other sites and keep up to date with all our news. 2026 promises to be an exciting year. Stop press – we’re already on to our next big project!
MMCLT would like to thank everyone who donated to the appeal or who offered their time or services to help fund raise for it. We couldn’t have done it without you.
