Invest to protect Stoke Lodge!

On 16 September 2024 the local community packed out St Mary’s Church to hear why Stoke Lodge Village Green is under threat, and how we can protect it.

Many people had assumed it was all over, and were shocked to get our leaflet explaining that Cotham School is asking the High Court to remove our Village Green status. And they turned out in force to hear how they could help to defend this amazing legacy of protected green space for now and for future generations.

Around 300 people heard David Mayer, the TVG1 applicant, remind us of the history of how we got here, and then Kathy Welham’s powerful and poetic summary of why she loves Stoke Lodge – you can read her words on this link.

With a High Court date set for January 2025, this was the launch of a major fundraising campaign to cover our legal costs for the five day trial. And there was a Big Reveal: the UK’s oldest national conservation body, the Open Spaces Society, has pledged financial support for our case because it recognises the importance of upholding the registration of the land as a town or village green to protect the right of the local community to use and enjoy the land for recreation.

The backing of the Open Spaces Society is really significant for our cause, but we still have a task ahead of us to raise the rest of the funds needed. Cotham School is using its reserves of education money to pay for its litigation – we don’t have the luxury of those apparently deep pockets, so community members are digging really deep and making sacrifices to protect Stoke Lodge, its trees, wildlife and open green space, and to ensure access for all – including for the pupils of Cotham School. We want Stoke Lodge to be fully available for school, club and informal use, coexisting side by side as they have done for decades.

This is a rare opportunity to protect 23 acres of beautiful rolling parkland as a legacy for future generations. How can you help?

• Visit our donations page for details of all the different ways you can be part of creating this permanent legacy for everyone, for ever: https://stokelodgevg.co.uk/donations/
• Watch and share our video: https://youtu.be/wP0E8THSCEM

• Spread the word! On social media, on your street WhatsApp, over coffee with a friend – join us and be part of something amazing: securing the future of Stoke Lodge as a place for school PE lessons, club sports and informal use, for ever!