It is a woodland open to the public every day.
Raincliffe Woods represent a fresh way of working with the local community to create a better environment, provide employment training and a career building initiative.
We are also a business; a social enterprise that offers training in the form of apprenticeships, education and mentoring to create sustainable longterm management of the woods and a place accessible to all.
It provides social, economic and sustainable return to boost biodiversity, recreation and your community.
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Raincliffe Wood Community Enterprise Community Interest Company (RWCE) was established in April 2015 with a mandate from Scarborough Borough Council (the owners of the Woodland) to take over the management of this important landscape which overlooks Scarborough and includes Forge Valley, Raincliffe and Row Brow Woods, all of which is either a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or a Protected Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) or both, and is situated within the North York Moors National Park.
Its special qualities are therefore well protected.
RWCE is a Not-for-Profit Community Interest Company owned by its Members (stakeholders) and managed by a Board of Directors.
Six of the Directors (comprising of a Board of up to 14 Members) are elected “Interested Members”.
Membership is open to anyone in the local communities who support the objectives of RWCE, as set out in the Business Plan (2015-2020).
RWCE is a Membership (ie. Community) owned Company with a Board comprising of at least six elected Members.
The Rules and Regulations, through which the RWCE operates are explained in the Articles of Association and other supporting Appendices.
Scarborough Borough Council chose RWCE to undertake the management of the woods, initially under a licence to manage the woodland and to organise events, and subsequently to be responsible for virtually the entire management by way of a 30 year lease.
The Board of RWCE have undertaken a significant task in managing a unique and precious part of our natural and cultural heritage.
It is a privilege to care for an important landscape, but this brings with it great responsibilities, and to that end RWCE decided to partner the woodland management with the Woodland Trust, the pre-eminent woodland charity.
The Woodland Trust provided advice and management, which they agreed to provide free of charge for an initial three years.
A 222 hectare (550 acres) area of woodland on the edge of Scarborough is undergoing a transformation after its handover to local community ownership.
Raincliffe and Forge Valley Woods were transferred from Scarborough Borough Council into management by the Raincliffe Wood Community Enterprise (RWCE), a social enterprise owned and run by members of the local community.
With support of organisations including the Woodland Trust the focus is on the development of the site under three broad themes; Wildlife, People and Enterprise. Key activity will include its restoration to broadleaved woodland, the encouragement of greater public use and generating sustainable income from timber sales, employment, volunteering and other enterprises.
