When we started IOW Beauty in Perpetuity - in thought before Christmas and with this website in January we didn't know what the response would be. Here is an update:
In short, the response has been amazing - YOU are amazing! People have come forward to volunteer in all sorts of ways:
- spoken words of encouragement, ideas, emails, sharing this site and the Gurnard Cliff Wood project on social media, delivering flyers, administration help, making such generous pledges, sharing of skills and experience in woodland management plans and knowledge of tree preservation orders, legal experience and advice, understanding of planning processes - and the art work of this poster.
What have we been doing?
We are continuing to raise pledges so that we are in a position to make an offer for Gurnard Cliff Wood so please do keep encouraging others to consider making a pledge.
We are in the process of registering the footpath that runs from the corner of Worsley Road down through the wood to the 'secret beach' . If you walked through the wood over twenty years ago, or know someone who did, then you could help with this, Do get in touch if this is the case.
We have made an application to the Postcode Lottery to help with organisational set-up costs.We'll find out whether or not we have got throught the first round on 25th March 2019.
We have investigated the organisational set-up. It will be a Company limited by guarantee with charitable status. This means that anyone who makes a pledge or is a Director / Trustee is be able to contribute without personal risk. Some people had raised concerns about liability if the organisation was to buy Gurnard Cliff Wood - or any other land. The nature of the organisation combined with putting up signage would mean that as an individual you are isolated from any risk. So if you have been put off from making a pledge due to concerns with respect to liability - please do re-consider.
We have been invited to speak on ' The importance of saving green spaces on the Isle of Wight’ in June - more on this later.
It seems that the 'vision' is indeed resonating with you as Isle of Wight nature and beauty lovers - be you permanently resident, a regular or an occasional visitor and equally it seems whether you have been enjoying this magical place for decades or whether you are a child or young person visiting for holidays or growing up on the island.
