The Sylva Foundation has been gifted land and buildings to develop a centre for innovation in home-grown wood.
The generous gift from a private donor was given to help the charity develop its fourth object: advancing education and business enterprise in the design and production of home-grown wood products for the public benefit.
Chair of trustees Dr Nick Brown said: “this incredibly generous donation will help secure a sustainable future for the Sylva Foundation.” He continued, “Our plan is to develop the property as a hothouse for new and innovative businesses using home-grown wood. Oxfordshire has a wealth of skills and ideas and many young entrepreneurs just need a little practical support to get off the ground.” Dr Brown added that “We are very lucky to have received a generous gift to help us set up our wood innovation centre, but we will need other like-minded investors who share our vision to match-fund.”
Sylva’s land and buildings in south Oxfordshire
The property in south Oxfordshire, just one mile from our current offices, consists of 8 hectares (20 acres) of land and several large farm buildings. Many of the buildings are in various stages of dereliction, while two large agricultural buildings are in a condition that will allow them to be converted to new use, to support wood-based industry.
The trustees are now looking for partners and funders who share Sylva’s vision to promote excellence and innovation with home-grown wood by:
- promoting the use of home-grown wood sourced from well-managed British forests to stimulate sustainable forest management and the rural economy;
- providing skills & enterprise education in designing and making in wood to create successful home-grown wood businesses across Britain;
- stimulate an innovative culture in the design and use of home-grown wood.
The trustees welcome expressions of interest from partners and funders. Please contact our Chief Executive Dr Gabriel Hemery for further information: development@sylva.org.uk or 01865 408016.
