major grant means
the heavens valley is now fully
owned by the community!
thank you to everyone who made this possible
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 the meandering streams, beautiful meadows and ancient woodlands.
Thanks to a major grant from a local charitable trust, the entire 102-acre Thrupp Farm (including the much-loved and iconic Heavens Valley) is now entirely in community ownership, as of August 2025.
The wonderful grant of £911,000 was received after detailed discussion with the Gloucestershire-based Summerfield Charitable Trust, who share our vision of nature restoration and community access.
This money makes a world of difference to our campaign. It means we have been able to repay the two generous local people who lent us £550,000 to buy the land, and we can also hire two part-time people to handle land management and community engagement respectively. The rest of the money will go towards various improvements to the land and buildings.
The purchase ofThrupp Farm in Stroud was completed in November 2024 – funded by the two loans and by £300,000 in donations, fundraising events and share sales.
This is a massive milestone in our campaign, which started in October 2023 in the form of a group of residents who got together in a pub to talk about whether a community purchase might be possible. It’s testament to all our volunteers and the community as a whole, whose passion to protect and save this land for everyone, for ever, made it all happen.
If you’d like more information about the grant, please see our Question and Answer section (HERE)
Photo credits: Top photo by Martin Phelps, Photo on left by Gill Thomas shows from left to right: David Owen and Roger Mortlock of the Summerfield Charitable Trust, Karen Thomas, Sue Fenton, Clare Mahdiyone, Lucas Schoemaker and Martin Whiteside from the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society and three temporary residents of the Heavens Valley.
How can I help?
By making a donation, buying a share if you haven’t already, or organising fundraising events, you can help us with the ongoing running costs of the Heavens Valley.
We now own the land outright, thanks to the massive grant from the Summerfield Trust, but there will always be ongoing costs involved in maintaining and improving the land. 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.
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 so far - and we now have more than 800 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 for more information.
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please ask your friends, family, neighbours and everyone you can think of to donate as well.
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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
& EVENTS!
A Gift That Grows with Time
By leaving a legacy or a donation in memory of a loved one, you and your loved one become part of the Heavens Valley story — helping us continue to care, nurture, and protect all that makes this place special. It’s a beautiful way to let your compassion live on.
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.