PLEASE HELP! COMMUNITY FARM at RISK-TODAY!!!!
This group of amazing community activists has been trying to buy a county farm being sold by Pembrokeshire County Council to set up a COMMUNITY FARM to bring people together, grow food and provide a positive solution to the climate and societal chaos we face today. CALL the Pembrokeshire County Council- number 01437 764551- we need to flood their phone lines to stop the bidding process and give time to the community group.
***Council uses cover of election to block successful Community Group from keeping farm ***
“Save Trecadwgan” campaigners who are due to feature on Television on 15th Dec for their successful campaign to save a local community farm, risk losing the site before the program is even broadcast. Unexpected and unnecessary details in the contract together with an entrenched position by Pembrokeshire County Council have caused one of the group’s funders to back out.
Despite another being found, the council have given the locals just 66hrs notice to enter a new sealed bid. Despite hailing the group as visionary and accepting their bid of £650,000 councillors have unexpectedly placed Trecadwgan Farm back on the market and said that they will now be accepting closed envelope bids, from previous bidders, on the property by noon this Friday the 13th.
The group have the backing of several politicians but the setting of a deadline when all representatives will be unable to intercede (due to electoral purdah) raises serious questions about the motives of Pembrokeshire County Council .
Council farms should be used as a community resource as well as a way for those new to agriculture to get started in the industry. Regrettably, Trecadwgan Farm is one of the first among many in Wales due to be sold off in an attempt to raise funds for cash strapped councils. The group firmly believe that they have a model which can retain the space as a vital site for education in food production, which if successful could be replicated by other groups elsewhere.
One of the group, Gerald Miles, whose own farm is an internationally recognised project for education in sustainable community agriculture said:
“ We have an exciting proposal for the site which pays a fair price and allows it to continue in it's original role, rather than go to someone wanting to make a quick buck as a developer. There has never been a more urgent time for new farmers to have somewhere to learn. For the Councils own credibility, we're asking them to take the property back off the market, and get back round the table with us. “
The ‘u turn’ by the council has given the group of volunteers just 66hrs to save the project despite their request for further time, to reassemble their bid.
For further details and interviews please contact
Gerald Miles on 07879 664 703 &. Sue Denman on 07817 410 782 [email protected]
This group of amazing community activists has been trying to buy a county farm being sold by Pembrokeshire County Council to set up a COMMUNITY FARM to bring people together, grow food and provide a positive solution to the climate and societal chaos we face today. CALL the Pembrokeshire County Council- number 01437 764551- we need to flood their phone lines to stop the bidding process and give time to the community group.
***Council uses cover of election to block successful Community Group from keeping farm ***
“Save Trecadwgan” campaigners who are due to feature on Television on 15th Dec for their successful campaign to save a local community farm, risk losing the site before the program is even broadcast. Unexpected and unnecessary details in the contract together with an entrenched position by Pembrokeshire County Council have caused one of the group’s funders to back out.
Despite another being found, the council have given the locals just 66hrs notice to enter a new sealed bid. Despite hailing the group as visionary and accepting their bid of £650,000 councillors have unexpectedly placed Trecadwgan Farm back on the market and said that they will now be accepting closed envelope bids, from previous bidders, on the property by noon this Friday the 13th.
The group have the backing of several politicians but the setting of a deadline when all representatives will be unable to intercede (due to electoral purdah) raises serious questions about the motives of Pembrokeshire County Council .
Council farms should be used as a community resource as well as a way for those new to agriculture to get started in the industry. Regrettably, Trecadwgan Farm is one of the first among many in Wales due to be sold off in an attempt to raise funds for cash strapped councils. The group firmly believe that they have a model which can retain the space as a vital site for education in food production, which if successful could be replicated by other groups elsewhere.
One of the group, Gerald Miles, whose own farm is an internationally recognised project for education in sustainable community agriculture said:
“ We have an exciting proposal for the site which pays a fair price and allows it to continue in it's original role, rather than go to someone wanting to make a quick buck as a developer. There has never been a more urgent time for new farmers to have somewhere to learn. For the Councils own credibility, we're asking them to take the property back off the market, and get back round the table with us. “
The ‘u turn’ by the council has given the group of volunteers just 66hrs to save the project despite their request for further time, to reassemble their bid.
For further details and interviews please contact
Gerald Miles on 07879 664 703 &. Sue Denman on 07817 410 782 [email protected]
