The "Friends of Northcliffe" is a local
community group originally
formed in 1990 to help enhance Northcliffe Woods and Playing Fields,
Shipley, West Yorkshire for the use of the public, to protect wildlife
and preserve the character of this unique area for future generations.
Northcliffe Woods and the Norman Rae Playing Fields together make up an
area of countryside which, because of its variety, appeals to people
with many different interests; whether birdwatching, working on an
allotment, playing football or simply taking a stroll, there is
something for everyone. Friends of Northcliffe
celebrated its 20th
birthday in November 2010 and we thought it would be interesting to
look back at how Friends of Northcliffe came into being. Judith and
Alan Marshall are founding members and, although they now live in the
Lake District, are still members. Judith provided these recollections.
At
the end of June 1990, it became public knowledge that Northcliffe Golf
Club had submitted a planning application to extend their car park into
Northcliffe Woods. Judith and Alan, with help from their neighbour the
late John Tindale, sprang into action. In July they presented
a petition with 440 signatures and Judith addressed the
Committee.
The application was turned down!
A
number of concerned people felt that there should be some kind of
watchdog to stop this sort of thing happening again. So it was that a
meeting was held on 22nd August to discuss the
formation of
a 'Northcliffe Preservation Society'. A few days later Judith and Alan
attended a meeting of the Heaton Woods Trust. They provided advice and
we agreed to work closely with them in the future.
In
those early days, Gladys Shuttleworth carried out research about Sir
Norman Rae and discovered the background to him giving the land to the
people of Shipley in perpetuity as a recreational area (and not a car
park!). This led to increasing recognition of the importance of Sir
Norman Rae as a local benefactor and the publication of a book
(but that's another story!).
On
Thursday 18th October, the first meeting of Friends of Northcliffe was
held and was attended by three Council officers, establishing the close
links that have continued to this day. It is interesting to note that
of the ten people who attended that inaugural meeting, four are current
members. In addition to Judith and Alan, Jean Kopasz and Marlene Benham
(nee Boocock) attended. Now that is commitment! Subjects discussed
included tree planting and thinning, steps maintenance, litter bins,
benches, bird and bat boxes, a sensory garden, a public questionnaire,
pesticide use and the possibility of a horse fair or sheep dog trials!
From the outset the aims were to work closely with other bodies
(including the Golf Club) to conserve and enhance the area for wildlife
and encourage the public to use and appreciate Northcliffe.
So
it was that Friends of Northcliffe was born. It has grown and
flourished and it leaves it's teenage years as a friendly, respected
guardian with over 150 members. Here's to the next 20 years!
Hugh Firman (with grateful
thanks to Judith Marshall)
