Group aims to buy moorland for nature reserve plan

The Bridestones are ancient sandstone stacks shaped through erosion over thousands of years

A community-led campaign hopes to buy a section of West Yorkshire moorland and turn it into a nature reserve.

Bridestones Moor sits on a hillside above the town of Todmorden in the Calder Valley and is a haven for wildlife and moorland plants.

The 114-acre site is up for sale, with community interest company (CIC) Bridestones Rewilded established in order to raise money for a potential purchase.

More than 230 people have pledged about £30,000 towards the £350,000 price for the land, which includes a rocky outcrop dating back thousands of years.

Members of the Bridestones Rewilded CIC hope to enhance biodiversity in the area

Bridestones Rewilded was founded by Anthony Arak and is made up of naturalists, ecologists and people who live locally.

“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve already received shows Bridestones Moor is cherished by many people," he said.

"It is a place where people enjoy access to the outdoors and where nature can flourish."

The Bridestones are striking ancient millstone grit boulders dotted over the landscape, with one locally nicknamed "the upturned bottle" and "the alien's head".

The Bridestone is a local landmark also known as "the upturned bottle"

The landscape was featured by poet Ted Hughes in his poem “Bridestones”, the CIC said.

The moorland is home to birds including curlew, lapwing, golden plover, red grouse and kestrel.

Mr Arak continued: “There is a growing recognition that moorlands like Bridestones are not only important for the diverse habitats they provide, but also for their crucial role in absorbing carbon and protecting our communities from flood risk by slowing the flow of water during periods of high rainfall.”

The group said it had the backing of the local community and Calderdale Council and aimed to reverse the impact of "centuries of hard grazing" on the land.

An information session is due to be held on Sunday afternoon at the Golden Lion pub in Todmorden.

Bridestones Moor is a haven for wildlife including curlews and lapwings

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