Community group faces potential closure without new blood

A food community group in Hyde could be wound up after losing half of its committee members.

Operation Farm in Hyde is weighing up its options following the upcoming departures of Alison Shockledge and Rob Muir and the death of another key person, Christine Clarke. 

Founded in 2009, Operation Farm manages the Hyde Park Community Orchard – from which it makes apple juice and cider - a community allotment and runs food and growing events across Tameside.  

A statement from the group said they will have three options once Alison and Rob move on next year: “Bring new people into the organisation with fresh ideas and energy, to build on our legacy and track record, take advantage of our assets and reputation and continue to achieve our mission of using food and growing to promote wellbeing. 

“Working with other like-minded organisations – either merging or being taken over, again, to build on our legacy and take advantage of our assets. 

“If neither 1 nor 2 can be achieved, to wind down the organisation, transferring our remaining assets to organisations that meet the requirements of our governance asset lock.” 

The asset lock means that if Operation Farm closes, then its assets will be passed on to other similar community groups or charities. 

“We’re soliciting views over the Autumn/Winter of 2024/5 from volunteers, partners, members and stakeholders and plan to make a decision on our future in early 2025,” the statement continued. “[As] we are a Community Benefit Society, any proposed course of action that involves a merger or winding up would require the agreement of our membership at a general meeting.” 

You can contact Operation Farm by emailing operationfarm@gmail.com