Campaign to Save Merrivale Wood Falls Short as Local Buyer Steps In

The Merrivale Wood Conservation Group (MWCG) has announced that their effort to purchase a cherished patch of ancient woodland near Ross-on-Wye has been unsuccessful. Despite a rapid crowdfunding campaign that aimed to raise £100,000, the group fell short of securing the woodland from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT).

HWT decided to sell the wood to focus their limited resources on larger and more interconnected conservation sites. After discussions with HWT, MWCG learned that the new buyer is local and aligns with their commitment to both conservation and community — a reassurance reflected in the buyer’s involvement with existing environmental projects.

MWCG founders Jess and Jody Shaw expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support the campaign received, which brought together numerous community members in a short time. They pledged to return all donations, enabled through the GoFundMe platform, and confirmed that the group will continue operating as a community interest company. They plan to stay engaged with future developments and foster community involvement around the wood.

Notably, David Thomson posted on Facebook that his personal bid of £66,000 was also unsuccessful, implying that the final sale price was higher. The Herefordshire Wildlife Trust had set an October 30 deadline for bids and declined further comment.