Sharing and conserving Walkmill

16 Oct. Around Dec last year we heard that Cumbria County Council had put Walkmill Community Woodland up for sale. As a family we were very upset and determined to do something about it. I attended Parish Council meetings and together with 2 people who live in Moresby formed Walkmill Action Group (WAG). We launched a very successful campaign to raise public awareness and got many signatures on both paper and a council e-petition. We successfully got Walkmill listed as "An Asset of Community Value" and developed relationships with Moresby Parish Council and the West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT). Together WAG, the Parish Council and WCRT have submitted a very well received Expression of Interest to County with a view to having Walkmill transferred from County to Parish Council as a Community Asset Transfer. Together we are in the final stages of submitting our business case to hopefully make this a reality. This experience has shown us that sometimes a small group of people can make a big difference to an area of nature to ensure it can continue to be the wildlife haven it is and continue to be enjoyed by the public. As part of the business plan we have to show sustainability regarding funding to care for the woodland. We are very keen that no plans impact on the "wildness" of Walkmill or impact on the public's "Right to Roam" in all areas of it. One way we are exploring to do this is by having Hospice at Home involved. Family members could donate to have memorial benches for their loved ones. This would mean more places to sit and rest also, making Walkmill more accessible to those with reduced mobility to explore it and discover the wonders it holds. In this picture Christine from WAG and our family were sharing Walkmill with some representatives of Hospice at Home so they could explore it and discover if they thought it suitable for memorial benches. And they did!