Merrivale Wood near Ross-on-Wye has been sold by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to local family farmers Simon and George Cutter who will manage the woodland for wildlife, maintaining the existing access for people to visit. The recently formed Merrivale Wood Conservation Group will continue to support the site, in collaboration with the new owner.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust offered the site for sale this autumn and, following an informal tender process, have agreed the sale to Simon and George Cutter. Simon Cutter farms locally, rearing organic, pasture-fed cattle and has a keen interest in woodland management and rural crafts. He is committed to maintaining the site as a nature reserve and welcomes the involvement of the local community.

Merrivale Wood Conservation Group plan to remain as a Community Interested Company, helping to shape community engagement with the wood over the coming months.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s CEO Jamie Audsley said:

“While Merrivale Wood lies outside of the key nature recovery landscapes on which the Trust must focus, it remains a fantastic resource for the local community and we were very pleased to find a buyer whose values are aligned with our own and who will manage the site for wildlife, and for people, into the future. We are looking forward to working with Simon and the Merrivale Wood Conservation Group to ensure a smooth handover of the management of the site.”

Merrivale Wood is dominated by oak and ash, with areas of wild cherry and sycamore trees. The wood provides valuable habitats for a range of woodland birds, including blackcap and marsh tit. A public right of way runs, from the town, through the wood, linking to the Wye Valley Walk. Merrivale wood is part of a larger area of woodland and lies between Chase Wood and Alton Court Wood and Penyard Park.