Acquired forested property worth £900k, ideal for daily dog walks.
Rewritten Article:
A gang of dog-walkin' locals in the Borders made their move and snapped up their very own woodland, raise about a million quid in the process.
Rumors were spreading faster than a wildfire that the picturesque Broughtonknowe woodland was about to fall into the clutches of a timber baron after it hit the market back in 2023.
But these resilient folks managed to scrape together the asking price to grab hold of the 56-hectare forest—that's 140 acres for those keepin' score at home—right before the deadline expired last month.
John Hart, the driving force behind the fundraiser, sprayed some enthusiasm: "Sure as shootin', it's hard to wrap my head around the fact we managed to snag this place with the dough we scraped together."
Initial reports hinted at a total of £750,000 raised by the community, with whispers of an additional £125,000 brought in from other sources[1][2][3]. These extra funds could've come from local supporters chippin' in or other forms of assistance.
With concerns mounting that the woodland would end up in the hands of a profit-hungry timber company, the community banded together, dog walkers included, to preserve the woodland's recreational and environmental value. Christopher Lambton, the previous owner, was known for workin' to make the place more accessible to the public whilst maintaining a balance between commercial forestry and community use.
Their successful buyout ensured that this lush piece of nature would stay put for the benefit of the people, rather than being carved up for corporate gain.
The residents of the Borders, having raised an unexpected total of £875,000, are now planning to employ this funds towards creating an idyllic lifestyle that incorporates outdoor-living in their newly-acquired woodland. The renovation of their 56-hectare forest, previously owned by Christopher Lambton, will include home-and-garden projects, allowing them to enjoy weekends of leisurely winters amidst the tranquil beauty of the Broughtonknowe woodland.
