Who we are
	Shipton Gorge Ltd was formed in the late Summer of 2006.

Our Charitable Objectives

To preserve the historical, architectural and constructional heritage that may exist in and around the parish of Shipton Gorge, Dorset in buildings (including any structure or erection and any part of a building so defined) of particular beauty or historical, architectural or construction interest, and The protection and conservation of the environment in and around the parish of Shipton Gorge, Dorset for the benefit of the public.

The Orchard

Its first asset is a plot of land in the centre of the village that lies between St Martin’s Church and Brook Street, which was purchased in November 2006. The land is under an acre in size and has a public footpath running along the side of it up to the churchyard. This piece of land has had a chequered history having been worked as allotments until some thirty or forty years ago and since then having been in the private ownership of a number of different people. It has always been felt by residents that it is significant to the village because it affords a wonderful view of the church from Brook Street and as such is a valuable asset to the community. Over the years there have been a number of planning applications by individual owners who have wanted to develop the land by building upon it. Fortunately these applications have been unsuccessful, thanks in no small part to the residents of the village who vehemently opposed any development on the site. This was the reason that when it became available for sale in 2006 that a group of people in the village purchased it and gave it to Shipton Gorge Ltd to hold in trust for the residents themselves to decide how it should be kept. Over recent years the land has become overgrown so that some of the shrubs and saplings now obscure the view. So it is envisaged that the first job for the village will be to clear the land and restore the view of the church from Brook Street. The purchase was only possible because of generous support by interested residents and friends.

How you can help

Successful fund raising and the generosity of the community mean that the costs of the purchase and clearance have been met. The organisation is now looking for further regular donations to cover the maintaining the land. It is hoped that the organisation will be able to raise enough money to maintain the land and also to enable the village to be able to purchase any other pieces of land or other assets that the community feel are important to them, when such opportunities arise in the future. The organisation has been set up very much like a trust so that it will be able to look after the villagers interests and ensure that any land it owns is protected from any use that is not supported by the majority of the community. Should you wish to support us financially, you can download a standing order form from our download page.