The remaining challenge is still significant with £280,931 to raise in the next 15 months, so please read on so you don’t miss what’s coming up and how you can get involved and share with others.

Nominate Us To Receive £5,000 for Save The Fields.

This is time sensitive, but such a potentially easy win for Save Castle Fields. And it’s one you can do from your sun lounger in around five seconds! Charities with the most nominations, by 5th July, receive £5K - it's as simple as that. (One nomination per person!).

Please click the link below and nominate Berkhamsted Castle Trust to receive £5k from the Benefact Group (a specialist financial services group who donate profits to good causes).

Remember the deadline is 5th July – please act now, tell your friends and family, and share on as many social channels as you can to gather more nominations. Thank you!

Save YOUR Space With what3words

Our big June news was that we launched Save YOUR Space campaign using what3words as a way for everyone to sponsor a piece of the Fields.

Our very own wonderful Adrian Scarborough gave time to launch the campaign with a heartfelt plea to recognise the value of the Fields and why we need to hang on to them. He then illustrated the size of the Spaces by cartwheeling across a model of our 3m x 3m plots.

The launch was rounded off by fabulous inputs from the Choir on the Green with a rousing finale and choral solo by Madalina Tudoran.  

Jeff Naylor has captured this glorious community event on two new videos which give you a flavour of the weight of support we’re now receiving.

Sponsors To Date

2,658 squares have now been sponsored with interest from abroad as well as all corners of the UK with wide ranging reasons why people are donating. These can be seen by exploring the map of the sponsored plots.

Here are some of the messages we selected:

• “This is such a special space, let’s protect it the best way we can x”

• “Happy Birthday my darling”

• “Our family have lived in Berkhamsted for four generations. Here’s hoping many more will get to enjoy it; to future grandchildren”

• “Happy Father’s Day!’’

• ‘‘Protect what we can, while we can”

• “To preserve the view for future artists”

• “Donated for future Hearing Dogs like Harley and Rose”

• “In memory of my late husband’’

• “Protecting the town we love and the earth we share”

• “In all things Nature, there is something of the marvellous (Aristotle)”

One of the most significant sponsors of a square has been Jack Whaley-Cohen, co-founder of what3words who really liked our concept!

If you’re on Facebook please join the event there and help us spread the news!

Eliza’s Moat Path Marathon Fundraiser - Closes Soon!

She said, "Huge thanks to the 74 donors who have supported my fundraiser for Castle Fields. It's been an amazing response, and it's gratifying to know that so

many people share my commitment to save these fields for the community. I've also enjoyed my marathon walk, observing the wildlife on the moats and chatting with other people on the path. With £4,407 raised so far (incl Gift Aid), it would be wonderful if my fundraiser could reach the £4,500 mark before my JustGiving page closes on 10 July."

Congratulations Eliza. That was a fantastic effort and the perfect use of our local resources.

If you’d like to support Eliza's fundraiser, you can still do so on the link below, before 10th July.

Lots More To Come! Dates For Your Diary

We’ve got lots coming up so please stay tuned and consider creating your own fundraiser in support of Castle Fields. South Park Gardens held a street party a couple of weeks ago but you could do a walk or a run, host a coffee morning or a quiz night, the possibilities are endless!

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This Weekend, Saturday 27th June - Northanger Abbey

Moving Parts Theatre Company will be performing in the Castle grounds with their summer productions of Northanger Abbey (27 June) and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (11 July). Click here for details.

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Saturday 11th July - BerkoBeerFest Raising Funds for the Fields

BerkoBeerFest are supporting Save Castle Fields this year, with Berkhamsted Castle Trust being one of their chosen charities. Their 11th Berkhamsted Beer, Comedy and Music Festival is coming up at Kitcheners Field on Friday 10th (Comedy) and Saturday 11th (Music) of July.

However they need more volunteers to help serve behind the bar - it’s very straightforward, with a short briefing, no money handling, and the beers are all numbered.

James has kindly volunteered for a shift and if any others can help too it will all help raise more funds. As a thank you volunteers receive a complimentary pint or two and free all day admission to the Saturday festival. If you can help please email maggie@berkobeerfest.com.

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12th July – Castle Trust at the Artisan Market

Sunday 12th from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm our stall will be on the High Street demonstrating to all the reasons why we need to save these fields and how, explaining Save YOUR Space. Please join us and if you can help out on the stall please contact simon.lewis6@btconnect.com.

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23rd July  - Castle Village Residents’ Day

We’ve been invited to take our stall to this year’s Residents’ Day at Castle Village so please pop along to the library in the House to chat all things Castle Fields.

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Saturday 31 October - Auction of Promises - Save the Date

Plans are coming together for a special dinner event and accompanying auction of promises this autumn. Save the date of Saturday 31 October! We’re delighted to have secured the Nash Harris building at Berkhamsted School as our venue and can announce that our auctioneers for the evening will be Eric Knowles and John Bly, from the Antiques Roadshow.

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And in other news …...

Donor Packs Available

If you’re interested in more information about the Castle Trust and the Castle Fields campaign and considering making a donation we have a comprehensive pack of information that will satisfy any burning questions. Please contact James at james.moir@berkhamstedcastle.org.uk.

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Thank you for your continued support