Sanctuary Urgent Appeal For Help


I'm afraid the press has got it wrong again! The Cotswold Animal and
Bird Rescue have been paying rent for this land. If anyone can help
please give them a ring. The Sanctuary has been there for the last 15-17 years.The land was owned by Cotswold District Council, they gave the land to the Cirencester Opportunity Group about two years ago. Prior to this the Sanctuary had a lease, and was paying rent. When the land changed hands, the Sanctuary sent off a cheque for the rent but the cheque was not cashed.The land is on a flood plain and has Roman walls.

Web Site For Sanctuary =  http://beehive.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=14793
Also see  http://beehive.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=14793&PageID=93196

If anyone has any ideas, advice on how to stop the attempted closure or to delay it. Please ring 01285 658923 or email the Western Animal Rights Network  http://www.stopanimalcruelty.co.uk/warn/contact.asp

Bird sanctuary accused of trespass
By Andy Woolfoot
Comment | Read Comments (14)

Stuart Forrest with two of the resident geese at the Cotswold Swan and
Wild Bird Rescue Centre that faces closure
AN ANIMAL rescue charity faces closure after being told by a
children's charity it is trespassing on the land it has occupied for
the last 15 years.

The Cotswold Animal and Wild Bird Rescue, based on Beeches Road,
Cirencester, has been contacted by the Cirencester Opportunity Group
(COG) which owns the land and has given the rescue centre until May to
find a new home.

COG, an independent charity working with pre-school children with
special needs and disabilities, needs the land back to expand its
premises.

Philip Beckerlegge, of Speechly Bircham which represents COG,
contacted the sanctuary before Christmas.

He wrote: "Your charity went into occupation of a portion of the
Cirencester Opportunity Group land without consent of the trustees and
have remained on the land since that either as tenants at will or as
trespassers."

Paul Richardson, manager of the sanctuary, said: "It is sickening. We
will be having a trustees meeting in March to make the decision. We
don't really know if there's anything we can do."

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The Cirencester Opportunity Group believes it has given the sanctuary
enough time to find an alternative premises.

A spokesman said: "For some time the Swan Sanctuary has occupied an
area of land belonging to Cirencester Opportunity Group.

"Due to the expansion and growth of COG, and for the benefit of all
our children, COG needs to use the land presently used by the Swan
Sanctuary.

"We have been in communication with the trustees of the Swan Sanctuary
for a period of time and have tried to reach an amicable solution."

Mr Richardson added the charity desperately needs to find homes for
the birds currently being looked after including bantams, hens, two
small turkeys and two geese.

Anyone who can help rehouse any of the animals can contact the
sanctuary on 01285 658923.

2:18pm Wednesday