Here's some of the feedback we've had recently from those joining up.

Future: Very little really, perhaps some improvement to visitor parking, toilets etc.
Not Future: I would hate to see any 'sanitisation' or Disneyfication of the Wrekin. I have witnessed several 'Country Parks' and have been horified by what I've seen.

Future: Apart from toilet facilities and one small cafe, I feel the rest should be left as natural as possible for this generation and future to enjoy with out any red tape and man made tat. I sthere not a corner of our area that is not left in peace for our children to see nature in it's simple pure state.... I survived playing for many hours without barriers, loos, cafes, information etc and fondly remember the freedom and joy of all my time spent investigating the area on foot, bike and horseback!
Not Future: Civialization taking over!

Future: NOTHING - leave the Wrekin natural, just as it is - with the exception of opening the loos at the bottom, just keep it as nature intended - PLEASE!
Not Future: Any form of development!  The fact that it is so beautiful and unspoilt is EXACTLY why people LOVE it - it doesn't need publicizing - it's already a well-known and loved attraction - HANDS OFF!!

Future: More guided walks at all the woods and Wrekin by animal/bird experts.
Not Future: Increase in tourism. Loss of wild woodland and spaces to modern tourism (theme parks).

Future: Open the public lavatories. Ban bicycles
Not Future: Formalised/concreted/tarmacced/paths. Litter bins. Any new structures

Future: Sensitive conservation of the forest plus some shoring up of particularly muddy paths to prevent erosion
Not Future: Losing the peace and wildnerness

Future: It must be kept for public access and enjoyment, and possibly have work done to stop the grass etc wearing thin.
Not Future: There is talk of an opencast coal mine, whilst I appreciate we all need fuel to burn, I don't think the burning of fossil fuels is to be promoted. Therefore I feel all attempts to open a mine should be challenged.

Future: Very Little!!! Access to ALL who show repect to the place & fellow users.
Not Future: Modern tourism with all of the necessary "red tape"; visitor centre; "Princess Royal" style car parks & charges. # Posted by Steve Hooker at 9/1/08; 7:39:08 PM
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What YOU say

Please join up! When you do, you'll be asked what you want for The Wrekin, what you do not.

We'll use this to form a consensus.

If you have any comments to make, please add them via the greyed out text under each news item. If you want to post something to the front page, you can, but an editor will need to approve it. If you can't do any of these things email me and I'll add it myself.

We are an open groups, and an open website.
# Posted by Steve Hooker at 9/1/08; 6:14:22 PM
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New members please!

Steve,
Please stop the vitriolic attacks on Peter Holt.  

They do not represent All Friends Round The Wrekin.
They certainly do not represent my views.
This organisation was formed for FRIENDS not to make ENEMIES.
 
I have called the meeting on 11th February - and paid the rent in advance - as president to sort out what we are about.
If the members agree with this nastiness on the website, then they will have to find a new president. I'm for friends, not enemies. I think that's a majority view. We shall see.  

By all means let's campaign agains litter and opencast coal working but we don't need to be horrible to anybody.  

Please stop the personal attacks. They are not worthy of you and certainly not worthy of AFRTW.  

George Evans, President,
All Friends Round The Wrekin. # Posted by Steve Hooker at 9/1/08; 6:09:53 PM
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It was I

I've just received a rather long update from Pete Lambert, so I've made it into its own page. Important parts, in my mind are (leaving out the many good parts):

The Landscape Conservation Plan. Again, it seems like the visitor is one of the prime focuses. Sustainability for future generations, IMHO this in part means paths, as does conservation of 'access networks.' Sure, there's stuff about the wildlife in there too, as would be expected.

There's a general agenda for the new Wrekin Forest Partnership. Most importantly is the funding bids. I guess these bids are already in, but I don't know what they are for.

There's a bit on who's been asked to join, who has said yes, and who hasn't. One key definite 'no' is Peter Holt. I guess this is my fault. (I'm told it's most probably.) Other landowners haven't said one way or another. Without these I'd guess the WFP is merely academic. Though SWT owns the Ercall, as does Telford Council.

There has been coppicing work in Peter Holt's land, I'd guess this maybe in jeopardy. Though in SWT's land, there will be more.

Repairing the hillfort. It's my understanding that apart from very light surveying, there has never been a proper organised dig up there. Apart from the earthworks mainly around Heaven's and Hell's gates being worn by years and years of walkers, I wonder what there is to repair? The nature of the wooden structures, probably means there isn't much to protect any more.

An interpretation panel will be placed at the Halfway House, shortly. Initially, I was in favour of this. Now, I just see it as another small step in taming, and demystifying The Hill. Will this be the only one? There's many, many other sites that could also do with an interpretation panel, all over The Hill.

Sure, there's going to be more and yet more visitors to The Hill, as Telford expands. Should they be encouraged to come? Or, should they not? Will extra car parking, merely for peak times, encourage more? Will a cafe be sustainable? Why should the visitor and car visitor be given priority? I'd favour a much smaller car park on site, restricted parking around, and the opening of a car park further away from The Hill. Make us walk!

SWT to maintain a network of safe, user friendly paths, roads and bridleways? Does this sound like twee bridges and stripped pine steps to you? It's also my understanding, that presently, there are only a very small number of public rights of way, certainly no horse tracks as horses are not allowed there, though there are a small few who do go there (I've never seen any, but I have seen some hoof prints).

To me this sounds like the SWT want to open up as many paths as possible, to increase the number of visitors, just because that is what SWT does. Currently, if someone falls over on a bumpy path, there isn't anybody to sue. If paths are 'improved' they need to be regularly maintained, as if someone does fall over, they can sue the creator of the path, if it's ill-maintained. Me? I like the mud and rickety, raggedy paths as they are.

A Forest School on the SWT's Ercall. What's is this? Does this mean building? Will building mean diggers and other machinery? How is this going to gain access to The Ercall? Will they need to tarmac paths for disabled children? How will they make this area 'safe?'

Sure, there is much that is good in this update. But overall, the general thrust, IMHO, is to get a massive number of visitors who'll say that the SWT has done wonders in opening and making more accessible the wilderness that is The Wrekin. It's a quango doing what it's supposed to, turning wild areas into inner city parks.
# Posted by Steve Hooker at 9/1/08; 5:55:03 PM
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Update from SWT