High Leasowes

In 2022 Sandra and Peter Whitlock of Church Stretton together with Middle Marches Community Land Trust (MMCLT) led an appeal to raise £400,000 to purchase a 6.5 hectare site on the eastern edge of Church Stretton. We were delighted to raise the money and that our bid for the fields was accepted. The purchase was completed by MMCLT in April 2023.

“The response from the local community was phenomenal, with a huge sum of money being raised from 240 donors in the space of just eight days. It shows how much people value this site and want to see it protected and managed for nature.”

Sandra Whitlock

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High Leasowes

Our vision is to create an area rich in wildlife and a place that people can enjoy.

This organic grassland site occupies a special position in the landscape of Church Stretton as it lies beneath the slopes of Caer Caradoc with Helmeth Wood to the east. It also has wonderful views of the Long Mynd to the west and borders Coppice Leasowes, a nature reserve of semi-ancient woodland, predominantly oak, with indicator species such as wood anemone, wood sorrel and primrose. This makes it an important wildlife ‘stepping stone’ site.

We aim to create a patchwork of rich habitats that provides shelter, nesting and feeding opportunities for a great variety of wildlife, where there is space for people to walk and quietly enjoy the area and for the community to participate in its care. We take positive steps to keep the community informed and engaged through regular newsletters and occasional public meetings.

The committee that initially managed High Leasowes has now formalised its organisation and formed The High Leasowes Trust, registered charity no. 1207101. The High Leasowes Trust will manage High Leasowes according to our management plan, which has been approved by MMCLT. Full details of this can be seen on our website www.highleasowes.com

We are an active hard-working group that is committed to looking after High Leasowes by encouraging nature recovery through habitat restoration and increasing biodiversity. We hope that you will support us!

The Strettons area is a haven for many rarer species of birds, mammals, invertebrates and flora which find niches in our wonderfully varied terrain. The Strettons Area Community Wildlife Group welcomes this new and exciting opportunity to improve the habitat and biodiversity of land adjacent to Coppice Leasowes Nature Reserve.

Dr Isabel Carter, Chair of Strettons Area Community Wildlife Group

The beauty of the countryside surrounding the town is what helps make Church Stretton what it is, and we are fortunate to have so much land dedicated to promoting this landscape and its wildlife. I am pleased to support anything which helps to improve and enhance the beauty of this town.

Andy Munro, Mayor, Church Stretton