Victorian Farm Acton Scott applies for charitable status

Sarah Farquhar and Helen Paris are among the group fighting to save the site

A farm attraction which has been closed for two years is planning to reopen after applying for charitable status.

Acton Scott Heritage Farm near Church Stretton had been operated by Shropshire Council for 47 years but was revealed to be losing £168,000 a year.

The farm, which appeared on the BBC's Victorian Farm series, was handed back to the Acton Scott Estate in April.

Trustees said they hoped to reopen in Spring 2024 after applying to become a not-for-profit organisation.

Sarah Farquhar, chair of the board of trustees, said a group had formed a committee with a view to reopening the farm.

The farm livestock has continued to be cared for at Acton Scott since the closure

"We've been delighted by the really great reception that we've received in the community," she said.

"As a result of that, we've made an application to the Charity Commission to set ourselves up as a going concern, with a view to reopen the farm again in spring next year."

The site, previously called Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, shut its doors in July 2021 following a decline in visitor numbers and an outbreak of e-coli.

The attraction has been closed for two years

Trustee Helen Paris said members of the local community had been concerned that they would lose the farm after its closure.

She said opening as a charity would create a "huge amount" of opportunities for the organisation.

"We've got that opportunity to relaunch almost, as a fresh organisation," she said, adding: "And [to] actually do a lot more work around getting our volunteers on board and a lot more publicity and marketing."

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