The Community Forest Trust was originally incorporated as the Red Rose Forest Company in 1998. The organisation changed its name to Community Forests North West Limited in 2004 when it supported the charitable aspects of both the Mersey Forest and Manchester City of Trees (then named Red Rose Forest) to aid the fundraising for and the delivery and administration of community forest projects primarily, but not exclusively, within these Forests.
The organisation was subsequently renamed the Community Forest Trust (CFT) in 2012 to reflect the organisation’s potential to support Community Forests nationally. The name change also reflected a Government move away from regional structures signified with the closure of the North West Development Agency.
As an independent charity and with an ability to be more agile in the way it operated, it was able to secure funds, employ staff, acquire land and enter partnership arrangements which were difficult or not possible for the two local council accountable bodies (Cheshire West and Chester Council and Salford Council). This arrangement has enabled the Mersey Forest and Manchester City of Trees to secure funding aimed at third sector organisations and enter into contractual arrangements not otherwise possible.
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