Voice Box, a choir from Witney, is helping to raise £70,000 to purchase an area of land known as The Wild Gardens for the villagers of the Wychwoods. The choir will perform a special fundraising concert on July 17, at New Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton-under-Wychwood.

The woodland and garden, close to the centre of Shipton-under-Wychwood was laid out in the mid-19th century as a pleasure garden adjoining Shipton Court, although the area was used as a recreation garden dating back to the building of Shipton Court in Elizabethan times.

A tithe map of 1837 shows some of the existing ponds and paths, as well as the original dog kennels in the south-west corner which gives Dog Kennel Lane its name, the path network is also clearly shown on the 1921 ordnance survey map of the area.

The gardens have a network of paths through 12 acres of woods and around ponds.

It provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and is a place of peace and solitude.

The residents of the Wychwoods now have the opportunity to purchase The Wild Garden for the enjoyment and leisure of local people and visitors to the area.

To preserve and to have access to this wonderful environment they need to raise an initial amount of £70,000 and an annual sum of £5,000 to £7,000.

Both Shipton and Milton parish councils have agreed to support the project. Musical director of Voice Box, Lesley Morris said: “The choir jumped at the chance to support this project.

“The wildwoods are quite beautiful and helping to make this very special amenity available to the local people is very worthwhile. We will theme the concert around woodland and nature and we intend to make it an evening to remember!”

The choir was formed six years ago by Lesley Morris and Keith Harris. Since then it has grown in number and now has 40 singers. The choir has a wide repertoire and have been described by audiences as ‘lively’, ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘great fun’. Many of the choir’s songs will draw on the theme of woodland but Voice Box will also be singing from their wide repertoire of madrigals, musicals and modern music.

To date, Voice Box has raised more than £7,000 for charities in Oxfordshire.

Tickets for the The Woodlands Concert are £10. Call 01993 831870 or e-mail Sm195@btinternet.com n For more about the project to purchase the land visit the website: wychwoodwildgarden.org.uk