Hope blossoms as we head into 2026!
December 12, 2025
Help us reclaim our missing piece.
We’re entering a new cycle of hope as we approach aremarkable milestone, 20-years of community ownership in 2026.
Nearly two decades ago, 8,000 people came together to save128-acres of organic farmland for the benefit of future generations. We fought to save the long-standing organic farm that has been nurtured for Arthur Hollins since the 1920s.
Today, that spirit of collective determination continues to rise and we’re inviting you to be part of this movement. At the heart of this stands Cottage Field, a small but significant piece of land within Fordhall Farm’s family heritage. Since losing access in 2019, its absence has been felt deeply.
Cottage Field isn’t just a field; it is the missing piece of Fordhall’s landscape, history, and potential. Without it, Ben’s free-range pigs have been displaced, and the opportunity to grow projects and events for the community has been held back. It’s also the last part of Dad’s organic heritage that we are determined to preserve. Reacquiring Cottage Field would allow our pigs and sheep to return to their traditional pastures and would open the door to more accessible community events, as well as expanding Fordhall Farm’s Youth Project and Care Farm. This creates more space for vulnerable young people and adults with learning disabilities to learn, fostering meaningful change that nurtures both people and the planet.
To ignite this next chapter, Fordhall Community Land Initiative (FCLI) has set an ambitious goal: to welcome 1,000 new shareholders over the next 12 months. Each new member brings the community one step closer to restoring what was lost and strengthening what has already been built. Shares in the FCLI support the community-ownership movement and organic farms in Shropshire and beyond.
Shareholders carry a voice within each strategic direction made, helping shape and navigate its future.
As we approach the festive season, why not consider gifting community shares to your family and friends? A share in Fordhall is not just about part-owning a piece of beautiful Shropshire, but it is about sharing the journey with us – with all their ups and downs – our members are part of it all. They are also a unique way to reward and thank staff if you are a socially conscious business owner wanting to do that little bit more! Community shares let you give twice – once to someone special, and once gain to the community and landscape we all share.
As we move toward our 20-year celebration, the message is clear: hope is not a moment, but a cycle, one renewed every time someone chooses to stand with the land, the farm, and the community it supports.
For information on how to become a shareholder and join the next phase of our journey, visit fordhallfarm.com/buy-a-share
