After launching their £250,000 Appeal to purchase the lighthouse and surrounding land on Skokholm Island the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales have been bowled over by the support they have received.
In excess of £100,000 has been received through the Appeal so far. This will go a significant way towards the purchase of the land and some of the renovation works which need to happen to the buildings on the island. It is in part thanks to some wonderful local support and the support of the Trust’s members.
The Trust wishes to purchase the land around the lighthouse in particular as this has the densest population of Manx shearwaters potentially in the world. The land is very fragile and island warden, Jerry Gillham said “We would worry about anyone else buying the lighthouse and land in case damage was done to the incredibly delicate nesting burrows. Worse someone could accidently bring rats on to the island which would do untold damage to the precious ground nesting birds which thrive across the island, including the wonderful puffins, storm petrels and Manx shearwaters.”
The appeal has been helped in part by the generous gift from the estate of Ken Price, a long term member and local group member of the Trust who recently passed away. His legacy means that the Trust’s dream may be achieved.
With £150,000 still to raise the Wildlife Trust is not resting on its laurels however and is still running its appeal, which can be found at their website www.welshwildlife.org. If the Trust manages to raise the full amount it will ensure the future safety of the island as well as giving people the opportunity to experience it themselves (even allowing them the opportunity to stay in a lighthouse!)
