Latest news with #GraemeJackson
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Group backed by Judi Dench takes over North Yorkshire nature site
The future of a site of natural interest in North Yorkshire has been secured, after being taken over by the local community, campaigners have Upper Ouse Conservation Trust (UOCT) raised £275,000 in just four weeks in order to purchase Townend Field in Great Ouseburn, near 20-acre site features wetland habitats, native woodland, a stream and ancient trees including an iconic Judi Dench, who has family links to the area and lent her support to the campaign, called the achievement a "celebration": "I'm very, very pleased and I shall be raising several glasses of champagne to you all!" "We've saved the field and we've saved the tree," the Oscar-winning actress said, in a video UOCT, which was set up by residents in February, will now focus on establishing a nature reserve on the land, the trust said."It's a fantastic achievement, but I think the main emotion we're feeling is very thankful," said operations trustee Graeme said it was a "special area for a lot of people" in the community, highlighting the area's "extremely diverse" range of habitats. Mr Jackson said those who had contributed to the fund had recognised the importance of "giving the kids half an acre of green space to play in, to give some community access to the place, and to preserve and enhance it for wildlife".The area will include an area dedicated to nearby Great Ouseburn Primary School, with further fundraising under way to maintain a traditional stone boundary, develop wildlife habitats and create footpath is to be named "Judi's Walk" in recognition of Dame Judi's support of the project, Mr Jackson said."She's been a huge help."He added: "If you get together and organise, you can do it - because we did!" Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Nature reserve near York near saved for the community
A trust has succeeded in buying 20 acres of land threatened by development to turn into a nature Field in Great Ouseburn, near Harrogate, was at risk of being "bulldozed" when it went up for sale, according to the Upper Ouse Conservation Dame Judi Dench, whose family used to visit the beauty spot, supported their campaign to meet the £275,000 asking Graeme Jackson said the trust managed to raise the funds in 29 days. He said: "The reasons for buying the land were that we wanted to preserve it and protect it from development because it's a site of importance for nature conservation."The local school also doesn't have a playing field so we want to lease half an acre of the land, so the kids have some green space."He added it would give the community access to the land and there were plans to add footpaths, signposts and interpretation boards. The trust has raised £284,000 so far, with a target of £300,000 to cover legal fees and work on the site. "We've had 475 donations from people all over the world and 180 people have joined and become a member of the trust," Mr Jackson said. "In the early days, someone managed to get a message to Judi Dench via her grandson and she sent us a lovely video and a donation."Dame Judi grew up in York and said her father and brother used to visit Townend Field, which she thought was "well worth saving".The area was also featured in a drawing by the writer Anne Bronte, who was inspired by the landscape when she worked as a governess for a family who lived nearby. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
