Page "Swithland Wood" Paragraph 7

After the closing of the quarries the area continued to be an important woodland resource, with active timber management and planting by the Grey Estate.

However in 1921, as part of a wholesale disposal of the Bradgate Estate lands, the woods, along with two local farms, were bought by William Gimson.

Two adjacent areas of woodland totalling 137 acres ( 554, 000 m² ) were offered to the Rotary Club of Leicester in order to preserve these important ancient woodlands and provide public access for the benefit of the people of Leicester and Leicestershire in perpetuity.

A Charitable Trust was established and a fund-raising appeal raised £ 6, 000 ( more than half of it from members of the Rotary Club itself ) which covered not only the £ 3, 000 purchase price but also renewed fencing, woodland management works and public access facilities.

The Rotary Club employed rangers and managed the country park directly for seven years.

On the rock face of the great pit is an inscription recording the Rotary Club's donation which reads " The Leicester Rotary Club Secured Swithland Wood For A National Heritage ".