West End Field Pavilion Renovation

Aim

We need your help to turn a tired pavilion on Penistone Moor into a safe, inclusive hub for the whole community to enjoy.

🐴 Who are we?

We’re the Haworth & Oxenhope District Bridleways Group (HODBG) – a small, volunteer-run charity that’s been improving countryside access for nearly 50 years. From bridleway identification and maintenance to community events, we support walkers, riders, cyclists, and nature lovers of all ages and abilities across the South Pennines. We have members ranging in age from under 5 to over 80 and over 3000 followers on Facebook.

Now, we’ve taken on our biggest challenge yet — turning an old cricket pavilion on Penistone Moor into an accessible space for everyone.

🌿 Why This Project Matters

Penistone Moor is a wild, beautiful landscape near Haworth, steeped in wildlife and literary history. But despite its open space, there’s no accessible indoor facility across its 180 acres.

We wanted to change that, so in 2023 we purchased an unused cricket pitch and pavilion located in the middle of the Penistone Moor. The site is ideal, with its flat terrain, accessible parking and stone pavilion providing an excellent space for our monthly meetings and community gatherings. 

Our vision was twofold:

• make full use of the facilities by hosting a variety of clinics, demonstrations, workshops and shows throughout the year.  
• just as vitally, we’re committed to sharing these facilities with other sports and community groups. We've already connected with several local organisations who are enthusiastic about getting involved, and we’re excited to foster a truly inclusive and collaborative environment for everyone.

Unfortunately, the property needs repairing and upgrading in order to make it a hub for health, wellbeing, nature-based learning, and rural community events — open to everyone, not just a few.

💷 Why Are We Crowdfunding?

We’ve already secured:

• £20,000 from the National Lottery

• A £2,000 conditional grant from Sport England

We just need to raise the final £2,000 to access the Sport England grant. If we don't manage to raise £2,000, Sport England will not provide their £2,000.

To keep our fundraising efforts strong and sustainable, we’ll continue hosting our much-loved horse and dog shows, as well as raffles, group rides across the moor, and themed social gatherings that bring the community together. We'll also explore seasonal events like festive fun and sports days, and art or nature workshops that tap into local talent and interest. By hiring out the pavilion for small parties, youth meetings, and special interest clubs, we’ll generate regular income while supporting grassroots engagement. Collaborations with local groups—like Young Farmers, Wharfedale Harriers and Sue Ryder Manorlands—will help expand our reach and create shared fundraising opportunities. With every event, we’re not just raising money—we’re building momentum, community spirit, and long-term support for accessible countryside spaces.

🙌 How You Can Help

With your support, we’ll create a space that welcomes everyone — including those with mobility challenges — and make Penistone Moor truly accessible for the first time.

Every donation makes a difference. Together, let’s open the gate to a more inclusive countryside.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We´re working hard to renovate the pavilion to create an accessible, inclusive, and safe community hub for everyone to enjoy. To ensure our facilities meet the needs of a diverse community, we plan to: 

1. Renovate the Pavilion: Create a wheelchair accessible entrance and remove internal walls to create a large, accessible meeting space, making it easier for participants with mobility challenges to navigate. 

2. Upgrade Toilet Facilities: Install modern, accessible toilets and disabled facilities. 

3. Enhance Safety and Security: Upgrade non-compliant window and door shutters to meet safety standards and improve security. 

4. Promote Inclusivity: Host events and activities tailored to a wide range of interests, from horse and dog shows to nature-based educational programs. 

5. Provide Learning Opportunities: Create a living classroom where school groups and after-school clubs can explore nature, fostering environmental awareness and appreciation. 

Community impact

This project isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about community. It will:

• Promote health and wellbeing through outdoor activities
• Foster youth development and lifelong learning
• Provide a base for events, workshops, and local organisations
• Ensure inclusivity, especially for people with disabilities

Our renovation project will ensure that everyone—regardless of ability—can use and enjoy the space:

Bringing People Together: The renovated pavilion will host events for various local organisations, enabling over 300 individuals annually to connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. This will foster greater unity and strengthen community ties.

We recently hosted "Actually the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever" to 500 Kate Bushs:

Improving Places and Spaces: By upgrading the clubhouse, safety features, and accessibility, the project transforms Penistone Moor into an inclusive, welcoming space for all, enhancing the area’s value as a cherished community resource for recreation and activities.

Helping People Reach Their Potential: Activities like group events, team-building competitions, and nature education programs promote personal growth, skill development, and confidence-building. Participants will gain lasting skills and form connections that positively impact their lives.

Supporting Challenges of the Cost-of-Living Crisis: Hosting free or low-cost community activities and providing a secure venue for peer support groups ensures vital assistance for those in need. It offers a much-needed lifeline during challenging times.

We are grateful for strong support from local groups, including Manorlands, Young Farmers, Wharfedale Harriers and other community organisations, who see the value in making this property accessible for broader community use. Whether it's educational workshops, fitness programs, social events, or peer support groups, this renovation will open doors to new opportunities and connections.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made