28 September 2019
Pitmen supporter and HTFCSA committee member Paul Woodhead is a Cannock Chase District Councillor for Hednesford and now Chairman of Hednesford Town Council. You will see him around the ground most match days, usually as Pitman Pete and in the Strikers Bar after the game where you can talk to him about any matters or issues of concern.
In these articles I want to bring the role of the councillor alive to you and ensure I am accountable to you as the elected representative for the ward in which the football club resides. This season I will focus on the work of the Town Council in particular. I will be available after most home games for a general conversation and we can arrange a private discussion should that be appropriate. Alternatively you can contact me by phone on 07930 120077 or by email paul.woodhead@greenparty.org.uk
Hednesford residents are being urged to speak up about areas in the town that could become a colourful oasis of trees, wild flowers or plants. The move is part of a plan adapted by Hednesford Town Council to introduce a ‘rewilding’ scheme on patches of neglected land or suitable road verges.
Keen gardeners are also being invited to take part in the initiative and help sow seeds that will blossom into the future – as well as protecting bees. It’s hoped that by next spring ideas will have been acted upon to start to introduce the plants and return the land to a way that nature would have intended.
Councillor Mandy Dunnett said: “We want to hear from people with great ideas about areas of land they feel could benefit from wild flower planting.
“This could be near a school or in a cul-de-sac. It doesn’t matter how young or old we are, our wellbeing is improved by being surrounded by nature.
“There’s also a declining bee population and reintroducing plants can help make a difference.”
Cllr Dunnett added that rewilding areas of Hednesford would also mean a lower maintenance bill for Cannock Chase District Council which is in charge of the upkeep of roads.
“This would mean that these areas didn’t need to be mowed so often,” she said.
“There is a cost in buying seeds but these can be very reasonable and there are opportunities through the Woodland Trust to get trees without an extra expense.”
She explained that many areas of the UK had already adopted rewilding, including Coventry and this had made a very positive effect.
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