User:Patsy piecrust

Pat I have been known for 22 years in Reddish Vale Country Park as a local campaigner with a strong sense of public ownership of public open space. It is 23 years since the famous "Save the Vale Campaign" when 3,000 people marched to the Visitor Centre in the Vale to prevent the sale of the land for housing. I believe that the most important feature of the parks and open spaces is the wildlife that inhabit them. The urban areas are depleting the habitat of the sort of wildlife that enhances our daily lives: birds, butterflies and small mammals. It is also desecrating the flora that so cheers us as we walk out in the daytime.

The group which I and a few friends founded, The Tame Valley Defence Group was dedicated to ensuring that people had free access to the world of Nature. Protecting the wild creatures of the Vale has been our paramount concern. We have worked closely with council memnbers in all that time and brought about changes that have benefitted the park. For example, I and a colleague had to fight hard to change the council's plans to retain the Industrial Estate within the Park area. This is now the Butterfly Field and the removal of the Industrial Estate meant that the Vale could become a Country Park.

Unfortunately, in 2011, our local council members in a council meeting so denigrated and insulted our group that I, at least, have ceased my close relationship with the members and officers of Stockport Council. Dissent is always needed in dealings with the council. Stockport Council, like all other councils prefer compliance and "fund-raising activities."

I am now a wildlife enthusiast in the Vale and will work solely for the animals along with other like-minded people.