Post by rosegriffintwidell on Apr 22, 2015 7:41:13 GMT
The Residents Association is making a community bid to buy Page Woods.
This small piece of woodland has been enjoyed during living memory by local people as open land. Last year the owner died and local business people bought the land at auction. The woods are now up for sale again and the Benson family has kindly agreed to sell it to us for a figure which basically covers the purchase price plus costs. Despite receiving a higher offer from another organisation the owners are willing to sell Page Woods to us at this price, and keep the offer open until the first week in August. They realise how much this little woodland gem means to local people. We are very grateful to them. 
A Basildon Council officer has looked around the area with us and given helpful advice 
. We intend making a grant application for 70% of the cost and are asking local people to donate or to help carry out fundraising events to raise the balance plus costs of about £12k. Several people have already indicated their willingness to help but at this stage we require pledges to donate rather than actual money. As we are asking for money for a specific purpose it will have to be held in a separate bank account and if we do not raise sufficient funds then any money collected will have to be given back. We will contact people who make pledges in due course.
The Benbow Club has said that it will write a letter to support our grant application :)and we are hoping that Bowers Gifford & District U3A will do the same - to this end Rose will be walking around the wood with some U3A members at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday 19th May. If you would like to join us then please let Rose know by leaving a note on the Forum or contacting via 0780 804 1825 or ChairResidentsAssocition@outlook.com.
Stephen Metcalfe MP is also supporting us. Last Saturday we showed Cllr. Aidan McGurran and another potential council candidate around the wood and we have already received lots of good advice on funding etc. 
We are also looking forward to showing a representative around from the Wilderness Foundation who we also hope will advise and support us.
Please note that the wood is privately owned and access is only available with permission from the owners.