The History of the Harmers Wood Sale

When	What
Early June	For Sale Board appears in wood (See John Clegg & Co Website)
Mid June	First simple petition started, but by 24th June formal petition to the House of Commons, 300 signature collected
1st July	Petition presented to Mike Hall at Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham, request made to Mike to present it and speak on it to the House of Commons. See photograph
11th July	Audrey and Maureen attend public meeting in Frodsham Church Hall, met Eanonn Ritchie of the Footpath Association, he suggests that we needed to get the pathe designated
18th July	Meeting held to form a group, suggested name of 'The Friends of Harmers Wood', Eamon explained about how we set about applying for the path to be designated
19th July	Met to complete registration forms by those who had walked the wood for over 20 years
20th July	Audrey and Maureen delivered forms to Winsford County Council offices and posted formal notice to the Cholmondeley Estate
22nd July	First of a weekly press report to bring it to the attention of the public, with reports also in Frodsham Life.
8th August	Attended Helsby Parish Council Meeting and afterward Mr Wilmot told us that Hill Road North residents would like to be part of the group and would put a bid in on our behalf. During all these weeks there was protracted correspondance with the Cholmondeley Estate to try to pursuade them that the wood had not been private with no access and in fact had a history of public access stretching back 50 years. Mike Hall(MP) supported us by writing to the Estate and applied for grants on our behalf. It was at this stage that the Cholmondeley Estate offered to sell the wood to 'The Friends of Harmers Wood' providing that it was held for the future and public access was granted.
31st August	Notified that Cholmondeley had accepted the bid from Mr Wilmot on behalf of the Friends of Harmers Wood
11th September	Problems developing with Mr Wilmot who is unhappy with press reports
15th September	Wrote to the Estate, requesting list of conditions on sale and expressed our concerns.
16th September	Audrey, Maureen and John met Mr & Mrs Wilmot, talks broke down when it became apparant that the wood would be privately owned with no guarantee of public access.
19th September	Paul Marsden(ex MP) drew up a constitution and addressed a meeting of the group. View minutes..
21st September	Cholmondeley Estate informed of our concerns and the current situation
27th September	Cholmondeley Estate rejects Mr Wilmot's offer
7th October	The Estate ask us to start the process of the sale by 21st October
17th October	Meeting to discuss our response, ask for time to raise funds, company set up and charitable status sought. View minutes..
18th October	The Helsby Village Group have pledged £250, and Helsby Parish Council are actively supporting the group and have paid for their incorporation fees.
Mid - Late October	Declaration of Interest to Rural Delivery Programme completed, Heritage Lottery contacted, Sandstone Ridge ECOnet Partnership contacted. Setting up bank account and applying for charitable status.
Late October	Frodsham Life Editor's Comments come in for criticism from the FHWT. Read them here
28th October	Mike Hall sends an e-mail and letter of support for the Trust
9th November	Contacted by National Trust regarding them managing the wood after purchase, they are preparing a paper for consideration by their Trust's Projects and Acquisitions Panel.
14th November	Meeting to discuss progress with funding applications View minutes..
17th November	Heritage Lottery representative shown around the wood and discussion of our application.
18th November	Our five year business plan is completed and circulated to Committee members for consideration. You can view an excert here