Village Hall acquires Illingworth field

The Village Hall has announced it has taken ownership of the field behind the hall after a successful fund raising drive which netted £105k.

The village has long since been interested in acquiring the land behind and below the Village Hall and the Parish Council began negotiations with the owners eighteen months ago. The Parish Council agreed to step aside and let the Village Hall take over negotiations for the field directly behind the hall. Village Hall trustees worked hard on a series of fund raising events and initiatives. Public consultation meetings led to the design and development of an initiative for an East Keswick Climate Change Garden.

In a press release the trustees said “As a rural village, we are very proud and fortunate to have our own Wildlife Trust. East Keswick Wildlife Trust have been working with and guiding the Village Hall Trustees since the inception of this project. The primary aim on the development of this field will be the retention of community green space, incorporating a focus on the challenges of climate change for the local environment and the Village Hall’s sustainability.

Our key objectives are to:

Enhance biodiversity by creating new habitats, thereby improving and connecting existing local multi-functional green corridors. This offers the potential for wider links around the parish and beyond, including Ellikers Nature Reserve to the north of our East Keswick Climate Change Garden. Provide outdoor learning space for the local and wider community to reinforce how careful environmental husbandry contributes positively to climate change. Work towards the Village Hall achieving carbon neutral status by 2030 from its current annual emission rate of 2,644 kg CO2 by introducing creative green solutions. Foster an inter-generational approach that creates a positive environmental legacy for future generations. Broaden the range of inclusive, safe and healthy outdoor activities and events.”

Major contributors to the appeal included £38,800 from Leeds Climate Change Grant, £10k from Garfield Weston Foundation, £8k from Leeds City Council Outer North East Community Committee, £5k from Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation and £1k from East Keswick Parish Council.

£25k came from the Emmerdale section 105 fund whose Chairman, Councillor Ryan Stevenson, said “I’m pleased that the community has been able to work together to provide additional amenity space for the village, including a grant from the Emmerdale Fund, which was established to support the restoration of heritage assets or the provision of new recreational projects”