VOLUNTEERS who help care for a historic Tameside green space have launched a crowdfunding appeal to secure the future of the much-loved site.
The Friends of Gorse Hall are seeking financial support to help keep the 35-acre open space safe, accessible and welcoming for the public.
Funds raised will be used to maintain paths and steps, manage litter, and protect the historic features that make the site a popular destination for walkers and families.
Gorse Hall sits on a hill overlooking Stalybridge and borders Dukinfield. Once a private estate, it is now a public open space featuring woodland, meadows, a pond and access to open moorland beyond.
The land is owned by Tameside Council but managed by volunteers from the Friends group, who hold a lease on the site.
The area has deep historical roots. Gorse Hall was once part of the Dockenfeld Manor, held by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Duckenfield, a notable figure during the English Civil War. Today, that history is reflected in a number of heritage features across the site.
The Friends of Gorse Hall group was established in 1999 in partnership with Tameside Council and Groundwork Tameside. Its aim is to promote the use, understanding and enjoyment of Gorse Hall among residents and visitors, while helping to preserve it for the future.
There are three marked trails around the site, all starting from the main entrance gates on High Street in Stalybridge, opposite the junction with Caroline Street. The routes take in key heritage points and offer views across the surrounding area.
Volunteers say continued fundraising is vital to ensure the site remains usable and safe for everyone.
Donations to the crowdfunder can be made via the group’s JustGiving page here, with supporters encouraged to contribute whatever they can to help safeguard the site for future generations.