The Background

Women’s Land near Sancreed, West Cornwall

A group of 4 women (Caeia, Cheryl, Jay and Storm) had at different times been the tenants on some land in West Penwith that had been called Women’s Land but which had subsequently been sold.

They then learned of a plot of land that was owned by an ecologically-minded couple who were willing to sell it for the purposes of conservation, but did not want to put it on the open market. The couple agreed to sell it to the four women and were sympathetic to it being preserved as Women’s Land.

The women were given just over 6 months to raise £4,000 to buy the 2 acres, plus £300 for solicitors fees and costs, so they networked it as widely as possible, and the money came in, in mainly small amounts and donations, from all sorts and kinds of women from all over Cornwall, Britain and even as far afield as Germany and America.

There were some loans (all of which have now been repaid), sponsored events and benefits for the Land. Many women were inspired by the idea of creating a safe and secure space for women of all ages, and wrote to offer support and contributions, and with only days to go, the final contribution was received to pay for the Land and the expenses.

The Land was then legally purchased and placed in Trust so that it is not owned by any one individual or group of women.