A community campaign to protect organic farmland near Oswestry is poised to buy its first parcel of land after raising almost £280,000.

Babbinswood Farm Community Benefit Society was set up in August 2024 with the aim of buying part of the organic farm near Whittington and placing it in community ownership.

The farm was put on the open market at the end of 2025 and the Community Benefit Society has raised enough funds to put in an offer to buy land totalling nearly 18 acres on the north side of the farm.

Patricia Gibbons, of the CBS, said that the society was hoping to complete the purchase of the land – Brick Kiln and Gravenall – as soon as possible.

“Once purchased the first project will be to create a permissive path to link to the existing public footpath.  There will also be a whole range of exciting projects for the community to get involved in and we are about to survey our membership to help us prioritise these” she said.

The campaign has attracted more than 700 shareholders and many private donors all united in the aim of putting the land into community ownership, safeguarding its organic status and using it for education and land-based community projects.

The society’s plans include working with the local people to reinstate the market garden for community growing opportunities and potentially establishing an orchard and flower meadow to attract bees and other insects and wildlife.

The society is continuing to raise funds to buy more land at Babbinswood Farm including an adjoining field valued at £110,000. Patricia said that over £20,000 had already been raised towards this next purchase.

“We need to keep the momentum going. There is still opportunity to get involved through our open share offer or through the Crowdfunder campaign and supporting events at the farm,” she said.

Future events include a community garden experience on June 20, a summer craft and vintage fayre on June 27 and a talk by Louise from Oswestry Herbarium on July 11.

Other planned events feature a guided butterfly walk, a bat walk, a dawn chorus walk, a silent walk and listen followed by coffee as well as a bird survey.

“The more land we can buy, the more will be farmed organically and the bigger the possibilities for the community. There is still a chance to get involved. So far over 700 people have joined us to become co-owners of this biodiverse and nature-filled land and we would love to welcome many more,” said Patricia.

Community shares, which cost £50 each, are available through the society’s website www.babbinswoodfarmcbs.org.uk or by emailing future@babbinswoodfarmcbs.org.uk or they can be bought in the farm shop.

The Crowdfunder page is at Save Babbinswood Farm – a Community crowdfunding project in Oswestry by Babbinswood Farm Community Benefit Society

Volunteers enjoy their tea break at Babbinswood Farm.