"Own your share in the People’s Castle" - Knucklas Castle Community Land Project

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[Press ‘Cutting’ from ‘LLINK‘ 10 Feb.2009]

‘LLINK’ readers will know that last autumn, an enthusiastic group of local residents raised enough funds to buy Knucklas Castle mound.

Now, this historically important Teme Valley landmark is to be brought back into public ownership for the first time in probably thousands of years.

The ancient Knucklas Castle mound, its surrounding woodland and two adjacent fields, will soon be under the guardianship of a new and local owner, the Knucklas Castle Community Land Project (KCCLP) – one of a growing group of independent trusts across the Country established ‘for the benefit of the community’.

At the moment, a “shadow” board of directors is in place to go through the detailed trust registration process. This temporary board consists of the Founder Members and others with specialist knowledge and experience.

Kevin Jones, acting Secretary of the Knucklas Castle CLP said, “Once this process is complete, probably into March, we will have a fun launch day and start inviting membership. Then we will have a general meeting of the members and appoint a Board of Directors and off we go”!

Knucklas Castle mound is a *Cadw (Welsh for “keep”) listed monument and so far, very little is known about its archaeology and history. A full survey of the site is being planned and Sian Rees, area inspector for Cadw, will be on top of the Castle mound, making a special visit the day before Valentine’s Day. Cadw gave help to a community trust for the management of New Radnor Motte and Bailey that has been a very successful project.

We’d love your help on this Project.
We are getting together a number of ‘activity groups’ and these include: archaeology and history, growing (allotments/orchard on the fields), and woodland (nature and conservation etc). There are also new groups starting to cover publicity, fundraising, education, access and maintenance and the all important business and financial planning.

All of these have only just started so now is the best time to offer your help.

Come and join us..

You can get involved in anything and we would love to hear of your ideas for activities so please contact us – call Kevin Jones, acting Secretary. (01547 520266 )