Save the Heytesbury parkland for the village community

We are the Heytesbury Recreation Ground Trust . It was established by a group of Heytesbury villagers in 2024 as a response to widespread concern that the Heytesbury parkland was in danger of being lost to the village through a commercial sale.

Our trust was created with a straightforward purpose: to secure this valuable green space for generations to come. Our aim is to maintain the parkland's natural character while ensuring it continues to serve as a venue for cricket, football and other community activities.

The Sassoon Connection

One of the parkland's most distinguished associations is with the renowned war poet Siegfried Sassoon. Sassoon, who lived at Heytesbury House from 1933 until his death in 1967, was known to walk these grounds regularly. The landscape served as inspiration for his later works, providing solace after his experiences in the Great War. Sassoon's presence has left an indelible mark on Heytesbury, and preserving this parkland helps maintain this important literary and historical connection.

Why Preservation Matters

Today, this precious space faces an uncertain future. As development pressures mount across rural England, we must act decisively to protect this parkland for generations to come. By securing the land:

We preserve a crucial recreational space in an era when public green areas are increasingly scarce

We honour the history and traditions of Heytesbury and its surrounding villages

We ensure children can continue to enjoy outdoor activities in a safe, natural environment

We protect the biodiversity and environmental benefits the parkland provides

We maintain an important piece of cultural heritage linked to one of Britain's most significant 20th-century poets

Help Us Safeguard This Legacy

Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us reach our target and secure this parkland in perpetuity. With your support, we can ensure that future generations will enjoy the same opportunities for recreation, community connection, and appreciation of our shared heritage that previous generations have treasured.

Time - or lack of it - is our biggest challenge. Consequently, the HRGT is engaged in a two-pronged fundraising strategy. It consist of gaining significant high value pledges (please contact the Trustees directly if you wish to make a high value pledge) and donations of any size made through GoFundMe site. All pledges and donations are vital to ensuring that we hit our overall fundraising target.

Please donate today and become part of Heytesbury's proud legacy.