Latest news with #SladValley
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Slade Community group raises money to buy 'hidden gem' woodland
People in Stroud have successfully raised £66,000 to purchase a local woodland. The community benefit society, Stroud Woodland, are now in the process of purchasing Slade Wood, with the hope of protecting it for future generations. Slade Wood forms part of continuous woodland beginning above Summer Street and extending along the Slad valley to Swifts Hill. Co-director of Stroud Woodland , Ben Spencer describes the wood as "a little pocket of woodland which is really treasured". The Stroud Woodland Community Benefit Society was set up in 2010, to purchase Folly Wood, just north of Stroud. "What people really enjoy is having the opportunity to spend time in the space on their own or with their family, at Folly Wood," said Mr Spencer. This week, the group announced it had raised the necessary £66,000 to buy Slade Wood, a steep three-acre piece of woodland on the edge of the Slad Valley, on the outskirts of Stroud. "Because it's tucked away, it's a bit of a hidden gem," Mr Spencer said. Members of the public who bought shares to fund the purchase will get no financial return. Mr Spencer insists the benefit is social and environmental."It's for people taking some time out. People locally have grown up and visited it over the years, as kids and teenagers, as well as parents of young children," he they have taken ownership of Slade Wood, the group plans to keep it open to the public, as it was under the previous owner. "We thought there was a danger it could be bought privately and fenced off with people no longer able to have access to the space," Mr Spencer said. On the environmental side, the group points to successes at Folly Wood where the creation of clearings and ponds has increased biodiversity.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Yahoo
Lamb attacked by dog near Stroud
DOG-OWNERS have been reminded 'to be responsible and keep their pets on a lead near livestock' after recent incidents of livestock worrying in the Slad Valley. Gloucestershire police's Rural Crime Team attended an incident yesterday morning (Tuesday, July 22) where a lamb appeared to have been attacked by a dog. The injured lamb was discovered at around 11.30am by the farmer when checking on the animals. The stress and injuries caused to the lamb could potentially result in a fatality. Livestock worrying is a crime and can include dogs attacking animals physically and chasing sheep, especially when they are carrying lambs or there are young lambs within the flock. Dog faeces left on grazing land may also carry disease which can kill sheep and affect unborn lambs. Officers are asking anyone with information on yesterday morning's incident to make contact. Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 219 of 22 July: Last year, the Rural Crime Team took part in Operation Recall, which aims to protect livestock by encouraging dog-owners using the countryside to behave in a responsible manner. When walking dogs in rural areas, dog-owners are advised of the following: You must ensure a field or area has no livestock in it before letting your dog off lead. It is the law to keep your dog under control, and the responsibility falls with the owner Always ensure your dog is under control in an area where there are livestock or wild animals Be particularly vigilant during lambing season and always keep dogs on a lead during this time If your dog is not good with other animals or people, avoid letting them off their lead when others are around Don't allow people who may not be confident in doing so or have full control over the animal to walk your dog Remember: where there may be no livestock in a field one day, the same location could be full of animals the next Ultimately, a landowner, by law, and as a last resort for protecting their livestock, is able to shoot a dog which they believe is worrying sheep. Police must be notified within 48 hours if this course of action is taken
