FoAM Committee members Mary Jeeves, Anna Cooper and Chair Alan Redley met with Maria Byrne, Head of Place Operations and Sue Fernandes, Environment Client Manager in March 2015 to discuss how FoAM could work with the Council to improve facilities for visitors.
The discussions were very constructive and recognised that Northwich Woodlands is a major part of the green infrastructure in the area and is important to the Health and Wellbeing agenda.
As a result of the meeting, Maria agreed that the Council would replace the old Rangers’ Cabin and toilets which had reached the end of their useful life. Over the next 12 months, FoAM worked in partnership with Sue and her team to develop plans for the new facilities.
The project’s successful outcome was the opening of new up-to-date facilities by Maria Byrne on 21st April 2016. It was a glorious spring morning and we were joined by our Marbury Ward Councillors, Parish Councillors and representatives from Inovyn and Tata Chemicals Europe, all of whom have supported our activities over many years.
Before cutting the ribbon, Maria Byrne said “What I saw when I came here was vision, input, drive and determination and partnership working. The new building is really important, but it’s not the building that makes a place successful. The facility wouldn’t mean anything without the work everyone puts in”.
She thanked everyone at FoAM and explained that the reason she thought it was an important project to move forward was because of the work, volunteering and commitment from FoAM.
The new facilities, which represent an investment of around £100,000, include toilets, a Rangers’ Office, kitchen and a large versatile room which can be used by volunteers and for meetings or as a classroom.