East Keswick Village Hall is a registered charity (Charity Commission No. 1185608) and operates independently, without funding or support from the Parish Council or any other public body
28th November 2024
East Keswick Village Hall has officially acquired the adjacent Illingworth Field, following a community-backed fundraising initiative that netted £105,000.
This milestone marks a major step in safeguarding community green space and advancing local environmental efforts.
After months of planning and dialogue—including a public consultation, a “Have Your Say” door-to-door and online survey, and a public meeting in September 2023—the trustees forged ahead with negotiations to purchase the land. The East Keswick Parish Council assisted initially but deferred to the Village Hall to oversee the final acquisition process.
The £105,000 required for the purchase was raised through a diverse set of grant awards and generous donations:
£38,800 from the Leeds Climate Change Grant
£10,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation
£8,000 from Leeds City Council’s Outer North East Community Committee
£5,000 from the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
£1,000 from East Keswick Parish Council
£25,000 from the Emmerdale section 105 fund, which supports heritage and recreational projects.
Councillor Ryan Stevenson, Chair of the Emmerdale Fund, remarked, “I’m pleased that the community has been able to work together to provide additional amenity space for the village…”
The trustees, in collaboration with East Keswick Wildlife Trust, plan to transform the field into a vibrant community asset—creating what they’ve dubbed the East Keswick Climate Change Garden. The objectives include:
Enhancing biodiversity by connecting local green corridors and developing new habitats
Extending links to Ellikers Nature Reserve and beyond
Providing outdoor learning spaces to promote environmental awareness and climate stewardship
Working toward the Village Hall’s carbon-neutral status by 2030, reducing its current annual emissions of 2,644 kg CO₂
Fostering inter-generational engagement and establishing a legacy of environmental resilience
Offering inclusive, healthy outdoor activities for all ages
This acquisition ensures the field remains open and accessible—not just for now, but for future generations. It also opens the door to exciting community-driven projects and educational programs centered on conservation, climate action, and healthy outdoor living.